Southern Cross
I wouldn't consider the 'welly and a rope' for the reasons you state. But a properly-made leather pouch, open-sided at the 'pulling' side (where the rope is attached) so it will slide off the prop as it rotates might be OK.
I'm an experienced hand-swinger (mostly of the Chippy) and have no qualms with that aeroplane. But I wouldn't like to hand-swing a '52. With the Chippy, you can 'flick' the prop down as you walk away from it and by the time it starts you are several yards away. The '52 takes some grunt to pull through - big geared engine.
No thanks!
SSD