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.
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.