Spitfire start up:
Fuel cock: on
Magneto #1: on
Magneto #2: on
Prop pitch: fully fine (push pitch lever fully forward)
Mixture: fully rich (push mixture lever fully forward. In a real Spitfire, the mixture lever is pulled fully back for full rich -- this is an error in this sim. The Hurricane in this sim has the mixture lever correctly pulled back for fully rich. Go figure.)
Radiator: fully open (push radiator lever fully forward)
Throttle: open 5 - 10%
Rudder trim: adjust fully right (starboard)
Elevator trim: adjust slightly downward
Ignition: on
Upon starting, allow a few minutes for oil & glycol coolant to warm up.
To take off, steadily open throttle fully with stick centered, use rudder control to keep the nose pointed straight. Use SLIGHT downward pressure on the stick to assist the tail to come up. Too much downward pressure: prop hits the ground!
At approx 80 mph pull gently back on the stick to lift off. Raise landing gear, ease back on the throttle to 2800 rpms, adjust rudder trim and elevator trim to climb at 140 mph.
Radiator can now be closed 1/2 to 3/4 shut -- monitor your radiator temp.
For Spitfire Marks 1 and 1a keep prop pitch in fully fine while you climb. Once you've attained level flight you can put prop pitch to fully coarse and adjust throttle for desired cruising speed.
For Spitfire Mark 11a, you can keep throttle at full and adjust your prop pitch to slightly coarse to reduce rpms to 2800 and adjust your trims to climb at 140 mph. Upon reaching level flight at desired altitude you can adjust throttle settings and prop pitch to maintain desired rpms and cruising speed.
Keep mixture fully rich always.
In combat situations, usually best to push prop pitch forward to fully fine and adjust throttle to stay below 3000 rpms. If diving to attack or evade enemy, adjust prop pitch to coarse and reduce throttle to maintain rpms below 3000 and avoid over-revving the engine.
Piece of cake!
