From 1914through 1918, W.W.I raged. Maximizing aircraft performance, especially in fighters, became a matter not only of prestige and fame, but of life and death. And yet, when one looks at the performance of very early fighters of W.W.I and the latest and best at the end of the war, a paradox emerges. Speeds increased only marginally, in the order of less than 50%. Engine power remained in the order of 200 horsepower. Common fighter altitudes in 1918 were in the high teens or low twenties. All these parameters had been achieved or surpassed before the war even started.
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