Has a real reverser deployment in flight ever happened. if so what happend?
Yes it has.
A Lauda B767 climbing out of BKK encountered an inflight reverser deployment in May 1991... Resulted in a complete loss of control and subsequent airframe break up within seconds. Can not remember if the engine remained at climb thrust or power was reduced automatically as per system design.
Of course because of the high speed and altitude the forces involved are much different than the take off scenario originally being discussed in this thread....
Read more about this accident on
airdisaster.com and
here.
edit:
Just noticed another thread here on tech log discussing the Lauda crash:
767 Thrust Reversers