Fliger, you can assign keys or use the mouse workable flaops lever in the VC, which is what i do. FTR, anout the only time P-47s used flaps for take-off was from a carrier while transferring to Saipan. Even the manual tells you to use no flaps on take-off.
As far as a warplane simplane goes, the A2A P-47D is the winner in my book as the easiest to fly and control. If you fly it by the book, it will be nice to you. About the only trouble I have is the same as the real pilots had, it's hard as the dickens to see over that big, long snout when landing.
Caz