interesting read. Just try any of those manuvers in a very high drag aircraft, like a good ol'e drifter, in the event of total engine failure, you have approx 3 seconds to get the nose down to maintain speed!
I also remeber an intructor a long time ago saying that in the event of a Partial engine failure, (such as a dead cylender or 2) or a failure that reduces engine power to idle, then it would be better to shut the engine down as a windmilling or slow turning prop (idle) will produce more drag than a stationary unfeathered prop!