Yeah, the flaps are there just for a fun factor. It's defiantly not required, but the next one I build will have them. Your already going through the work to modify the trailing edge of hlaf the ribs, so why not just follow through with the whole trailing edge and put some flaps there. You don't have to use them if you don't want to.

I think the ultimate set-up would be a clipped wing with some flaps. I think that would provide some interesting low speed maneuvers yet retain some higher speed flying as well. Though like I said before, I'm not possitive if a clipped wing would fly.

About the camera idea. I had a idea for a removable pod that sat in-between the landing gear of my Seniorita on two aluminum rails. The front of the pod was somewhat streamlined. The pod was about a foot long, the same width as the fuselage, and about 2 inches deep. Imagine a large float plane float on the belly of the plane. Anyways, this was to be equipped with a bombay door on the bottom, and had multiple 1/16 inch slits on the inside so I could take two rectangle pieces of plywood and position them so the cargo didn't roll around while I was flying. Anyways this was for the egg drop contests they have in my area. I never did build it, but I would imagine that it could be adapted for a camera. The camera could sit either looking forward or looking down. I think it would be a great way to mount a camera without having to permanently modify the plane.