Never mind all this spool-up time business; good point about the leaflets, hum.
One of the best uses for a speed brake I've seen was on a bush push with my helicopter squadron.
Macchi MB326Hs were involved in the exercise and 'bombed' our squadron loc with masses of interleaved toilet tissue, having stuck it in their speed brake wells prior to departure. Seemed to come floating down forever. Nice work!