By Thom Patterson @CNNMoney June 16, 2017: 5:33 PM ET
1995: Experimental thrills courtesy of X-31
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In 1995, an experimental plane called the Rockwell-Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm X-31 showed off its amazing moves in Paris.
What made this aircraft special was a unique thrust-vectoring control system. Pilots could control the X-31 by using paddles on the rear to direct the engine's thrust.
