I think the slat modeling is neat, but doubt they slammed open/shut so much. They had to have a LARGE deadband detent. The problem with spring slats is if one sticks, you're gonna roll in. I doubt WWII slats were responsive enough to pop in/out 10 times a minute.
(I designed leading edge flap system for X-31, worked on F-18 and F-16 LEFs too - bubba knows slats)
Mullah