The Ship That Flips!
Imagine you’re sailing on a ship, the sun is shining, the waves are gentle… and suddenly, the entire vessel starts tilting backward like a sinking submarine! Panic? Nope. If you’re aboard the RP FLIP, this is just another day at work.
The Floating Instrument Platform (FLIP) is not your average research ship—it’s the ultimate party trick of oceanography. Built in 1962 by the U.S. Navy and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, FLIP was designed for one thing: flipping! Unlike normal ships, it can stand vertically in the water, like a giant floating thermometer. How? Well, about 90% of its 108-meter (355-foot) length is just a hollow, ballast-filled tube. To “flip,” the crew floods the rear compartments with water, and slowly—over the course of 20–30 minutes—the ship tips up until it’s completely vertical. It’s like watching a giant whale doing a slow-motion backflip, except it never falls over.
We also have a high-poly version with interlocking details and bulkheads between parts for easier printing-assembly and stronger model. Convertable to RC. You can get it from here.
Once upright, FLIP becomes an ultra-stable floating platform, perfect for studying waves, acoustics, and ocean currents without the usual rocking and rolling of a standard research ship. The best part? The interior is built to handle both orientations. That means some doors, tables, and even toilets are mounted sideways, so they can be used whether the ship is horizontal or vertical. If you ever wanted to feel like you’re living inside an Escher painting, this is the place to be.
However, life on FLIP is not for the faint-hearted. Imagine waking up in your bunk, and suddenly, your whole bedroom is shifting to a new dimension. One moment your coffee cup is sitting on the table, the next, it’s on the wall. Researchers aboard FLIP need to have strong stomachs, a good sense of humor, and an excellent grip on their belongings.
Despite its age, FLIP remained in service for over 50 years, helping scientists unlock the secrets of the ocean before it was retired in 2020. It was a legend, a marvel of engineering, and quite possibly the world’s biggest prank on new crew members.
So, if you ever hear about a ship that tips over on purpose, don’t worry—it’s just FLIP, doing what it does best!
We also have a high-poly version with interlocking details and bulkheads between parts for easier printing-assembly and stronger model. 25 separate parts, Convertable to RC. You can get it from here.
STL files for 3d printing your own Flip is below.
This one is also a desktop model of the RP Flip, in standing position on the sea. Can be 3d printed as a desktop decoration. STL file is below.
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