I just read the report about the Detroit NWA accident once more - or rather the sections which are of interest when discussing this accident (Spanair).
link:
http://amelia.db.erau.edu/reports/ntsb/aar/AAR88-05.pdf
The conclusion is that the NWA accident aircraft took off without flaps/slats, and this conclusion is based on 4 facts:
1. The flight recorder showed that the flaps/slats were up/retracted and that the flap/slat handle position corresponded to this.
Page 21, section 6.
2. The cockpit voice recorder readout showed that the checklist items regarding flaps/slats were omitted.
Page 76.
3. The damaged flaps/slats quadrant from the cockpit was examined - handle in up/retracted position.
Page 50....
4. The damaged flaps/slats and their hydraulic and mechanical components were examined - flap/slats in up/retracted position.
Page 50...
At present we have a lot of indications regarding the above - the latest being the picture in post #2115 from justme69.
But I think that we must have the same information as in the NWA report before making a final judgement.