I agree that the Pegasus-powered Vildebeests generally were started by inertia starter (there was a thoughtfully provided foot plate for the starting airman to stand on, and the crank-handle was normally stowed close to hand in another another conveniently compartment), although some may have used what was known as a gas-starter (from pressurised bottle, possibly CO2 or nitrogen). The Vildebeest IV was fitted with Bristol Perseus (sleeve valve) engine, which used an external battery for starting. My late uncle Tom was "knocked out" during the starting procedure for a Vilde IV when the engine "fired up" unexpectedly and spat a large flame out of the exhaust pipe which enveloped him. He came to in the station hospital with much of his hair (including eyebrows, etc) having been burned off, and a rather red face (but not from embarrassment). Reason he was roasted in this manner was that the RNZAF had very few external electrical plug attachements at the time, and the one he had to use was a very dodgy one which was in such a state of disrepair that an airmen was required to actually hold the unit in place against the female half, which put him right in line with the longish exhaust pipe on that side. One would hope that the offending plug was quickly repaired or destroyed. The RNZAF received almost the entire RAF fleet of Mk. IVs in 1941, ex 42 Squadron, which were displaced by Beauforts.