Dogfight

[Oor Wullie]

During the Battle Of Britian in WWII. Why was a fight between two planes called a dogfight?

[Ewood27]

The name was carried over from WW1, when aircraft flew more slowly and could turn much tighter as a result. Fights took place over a small area with the contestants twisting and turning much like two fighting dogs in a dog pit. Fights were also vicious and deadly, just as between two dogs.

[fat robert]

And when the planes crashed and exploded they went "woof"....