Thanks for the advice regarding all of this in the other thread. I can now get my engine started (!).

Taking off in the Hurricane is still a bear however. I don't have rudder pedals so it's on the stick. My typical sequence is:

Trim rudder full right.

Line up on the runway and gradually increase speed with stick full back.

Hurricane starts to veer off to the left, I compensate with rudder but it's hard to not overcompensate and Hurri often veers off to the right. Rudder left. More swerving around. Pick up speed. Stick forward slightly to lift the tail. Hurri veers off again, overcompensate with rudder. Hurri hits grass off the side of the runway which seems to either spin the plane around to face the opposite direction or nose it over onto the prop.

I've destroyed so many aircraft at this point I'm sure I should be demoted to fitter or rigger. Or making the tea and answering the phone. Or maybe a WAAF?

Anyway, on the few occasions I've managed to get airborne, the Hurri doesn't seem to have any power and I seem to be on the verge of a stall. Should I close radiator after takeoff? I do change pitch control to 'course'. Any other engine tricks besides keeping an eye on oil and water temperatures?

BTW...the water temperature is supposed to be around 60-75 degrees I think? Where is this on the dial because I can't read the numbers? Around 9.00?

S! Comp