The _Caudron_ is another big twin-motored machine, used by French, British and Italians. Its two rotary engines are fixed in small nacelles between the planes, while the pilot rides in a center fuselage. Somewhat after the manner of the Voisin, it carries its tail at the end of a projecting framework of four long beams, the lower two of which act also as landing skids. [Illustration: _Copyright International Film Service, Inc._ A HANDLEY PAGE MACHINE TUNING UP FOR A FLIGHT] America, like the rest of the nations, has had her secret ambition to try her hand at building bombing machines. In 1918 the designs for the _Handley-Page_ bomber were brought to this country, and on July 6th the first American built _Handley-Page_ bomber was successfully launched into the air at Elizabeth, New Jersey. The huge machine was christened the _Langley_ after one of the early experimenters with the heavier-than-air machine. It had a wing span of 100 feet, and a central fuselage 63 feet long. Small armored nacelles at either side of the fuselage carried its two 400 horsepower Liberty motors, each turning a separate propeller. Laden with its full supply of bombs, its two Browning machine guns and fuel for a long run, this giant of the skies weighs about 9,000 pounds. Our country has instituted a program of construction for these super-dreadnaughts, and before long they will form an enormous aerial weapon in the hands of our airmen. For America, still practically a novice at airplane construction on a large scale, to be able to produce in her factories the largest and most complicated of the foreign types, speaks well for her determination and resourcefulness. [Illustration: _Copyright Underwood and Underwood_ THE LAUNCHING OF A LANGLEY, A GIANT BOMBING AIRPLANE] The Allied nations have vied with each other in their efforts to produce the king among bombing planes. The Italians have undoubtedly carried away the prize. Their _Caproni_ triplane is among the largest in the world. The details of its construction were kept secret, as it was one of the most dreaded weapons of the Allies. Three powerful Fiat motors drive it at a speed of about 80 miles an hour. With its five tons of bombs, destined for important objectives in the land of the enemy, it is an object to inspire awe.