We often hand-prop the Chipmunk. With a low compression long stroke engine like the Gipsy it's no problem. This is how we do it, but don't do it yourself unless a competant person has trained you about techique, where and how to stand etc.
The swinger is the boss and gives the orders. The pilot follows them and confirms mags on or off with thumb up or thumb down to the swinger.
"Brakes on (push on the wing to confirm this), throttle closed, mags off", suck in (and always treat it as 'live' because if a mag switch or cable has failed, it will be!).
"Throttle set"
"CONTACT!" (Not "ON", as this can sound like "OFF" on a noisy apron). The pilot switches on RH mag only (the one with the impulse).
Using the flat of your hand (don't curl your fingers around the blade just in case the pilot has switched on both mags and it kicks back) pull the prop down as you step away backwards.
Assuming you primed OK and your engine is OK, it will fire up. By the time it's done one revolution you will be well clear; it doesn't burst into immediate 2100 rpm life!
The Cub (L4) I used to prop from behind. This could be done solo as you can reach the mag switches and the prop at the same time.
I have hand-propped Lycomings, but I don't like it. It just doesn't (unlike the Gipsy and the 65hp Continental) feel 'right'.