Spit 2a overheating...

[Sutts]

The following is straight from the Spit pilot's notes:

ACTIONS AFTER TAKE-OFF
Close the radiator shutter (unless a high power climb is done, when the lever should be a little forward).


These aircraft are designed to fly at fairly high power settings with the radiator in the closed position (it isn't actually fully closed of course but in the minimum opening position). Slow speeds and very high power settings are the exception I think.