What's everyone's opinion on using Formica type laminate for a pressure strip in a firehose  form.  I have glued 2 strips back to back, they seem as rigid laterally as metal flashing

I don't know much about formica but what experience I do have would make me wonder about it breaking under that much pressure. I think many use it on the bottom of the form as bedding since it will be 100% supported. But any place that could flex in an odd way, I could see it cracking.

We will know for sure in about four hours

I have never used it but I would think you would be ok Formica is pretty tuff stuff , incrementally air up bet it will work !

It worked fine.  Pressure strip is whole and uncracked.  Limbs are nice and flat