Hi Dan ...
Thanks for joining in
Going back to the Hood Flap for a moment ... I have a very vague recollection of a reported incident where a RAF Chipmunk was in a Flat Errect Spin and when the crew decided the best course of action was to leave the aircraft (normal recovery actions were ineffective apparently) ... the mere operation of the hood flap and subsequent opening of the canopy ... the aircraft recovered, the crew then stayed with it and recovered back to base safely.
I may be 'barking' on this one ... but something stuck with this story ... does it ring any bells with you ?