As for flaps, if I put anything about ditching technique I will be shouted down so I'm not going to bother
I'll have a go
Clare 
I delved through a whole bunch of military manuals as to their recommendations for everything from a T-34 (nee Bonanza type) to the B-52 and B-36. All recommend flap without exception, though the amount of flap depended on type, some are known to have such poor ditching characteristics that bail out is recommended if at all possible.
The first 2 stages of flaps in the Archer/Warrior/Cherokee models are lift and the last stage basically all drag - so I get that you may not want ALL flaps out for ditching
Something the B-25 manual states,
