Thanks. I made a mistake in that comment, saying the lift/drag of the Shuttle was 1. The hypersonic L/D was 1, but during subsonic approach it was 4.5. In hindsight it kinda makes sense that wings do something. :)

The maneuver is more noticeable with the new titanium grid fins (needed because the old aluminum ones caught fire from aerodynamic heating). Not only are they larger, but they use a "sawtooth" leading edge that increases control authority. New: https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/879065552060260352 Old: http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12...

They also happen to be the largest titanium forgings in the world. https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42544.340#...

Well, the plan is to use forging to make them, but the ones on this rocket were cast as a blank and machined. One presumes that they are still working on the forging system. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/878821062326198272

Saying in aviation: If you put a big enough engine on it, even a brick will fly.

In this case, it's "given enough initial velocity and control authority, even a brick will glide", but the spirit is the same.

I believe the proper term is "brick sthouse".

A few years back a group of engineers decided to prove this by attaching a number of solid fuel rocket engines to a port-a-potty and launched it to great applause.

In RC planes community it's quite common as well :) With modern brushless engines and LiPo batteries aerodynamics becomes optional.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bns5x4pvl5Y

The new and improved grid fins debuted on this flight allow them even greater capabilities in that regard (greater control authority means they can achieve a higher angle of attack).