Anybody who thinks digital is a technology that only recently emerged needs to take a trip in the Way-back Machine.
10JAN1973
Between 1972 and 1985 a modified F-8C Crusader proved the concept of digital fly-by-wire technology, now taken for granted on today’s military and commercial aircraft.
The ‘Apollo’ computer system was jammed into every available space on the fighter aircraft, including it’s gun bays. The testing took place at the NASA Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, (now the Dryden Flight Research Center) and Langley Research Center.
Phase-1 pilot’s control box originally was used on the Apollo Moon mission’s Lunar Modules. Phase-2 used three IBM AP-101 computers for the flight control system.
NASA video of intentionally induced oscillations upon landing:
211 DFBW flights were made.
Build one yourself:
Apparently they have DFBW conversion kits in 1:144 and 1:48, as well.
HISTORY OF MILITARY COMPUTERS SINCE WW2, BIRTH OF THE INTERNET!
VEHICLE I-D: MIG-31 SPACE BOUND DOGFIGHTER?