Virgo
Yes, sort of. One of my old helo mates did some time on the Khormaksar Belvederes and his version was that they were started with the driver standing on the step - half in and half out of the cockpit. Bristol's rotary wing beasts were nothing if not unusual. The Sycamore's 'fondness' for self-destructing ground resonance (among other things) made for concentration during the start!
Avpin starts on the Wessi were good for some adrenaline pumping also.
All this electric starter motor stuff is for wimps, really. ( should be an appropriate smiley here but they don't seem to be working)
PS how's life after Sir Dick's Classics?