I think you're right Timbo. It had something to do with the foil adjustment system that your planes are using. I believe they finally "figured" out how to use it effectively and started their domination..

And while the concepts of aero- and hydro- foils started in small boats (moths, C-cats), you can't deny how much technical talent the AC put to figuring these things out... ESPECIALLY when the rules were designed to keep boats from doing just that (foiling).