Now pilots could challenge other pilots directly, and dogfighting was born. Aerial duels pushed planes to their performance limits, and pilots quickly learned the capabilities of both their own and their opponents' machines, often attempting to exploit subtle differences in relative speed, climb rate, or turning radius.15 Bigger wasn't better, but faster speeds and greater maneuverability were, and planes became locked into an arms race just the same. Pilots could occasionally work around limitations of their machines, using clever tactics, skill, or trickery, but the advantage clearly went to the pilot with the superior plane, and each side raced to develop better and better machines.

Emlen, Douglas J, Animal Weapons_ The Evoluti…, loc. 542