Wars always inspire rapid changes in technology, and it soon became apparent during the First World War that airplanes could be used for much more than simply reconnaissance of enemy lines. Soon they began to carry guns for protection and small bombs to harass the enemy.

By 1917, both sides in the war had developed a group of talented pilots and, with the ever improving aircraft, aerial dogfights became a feature in the sky, watched with great excitement by the troops in the mud below.

The boundaries of reality changed weekly and a few pilots became the new war heroes. As aircraft improved, they could carry heavier weapons and bombs and, by the end of the First World War, air power was making a significant contribution to the war effort.