Just read the book 'First Light' myself. The author did about 50 hrs Tiger Moth, then a few dozen hours on a complex type (Harvard - something way beuond the scope of most modern CAA PPLs) then he went straight to an active squadron. The CO almost refused him permision to stay because he was so inexperienced to fly fly a Spitfire with his ~160hrs. Indeed he nearly killed him self several times during his familiarisation flights in the Spit.
There is no way an inexperienced flyer could handle a 2000hp piston engine tailwheel aircarft.
Anyway, read the book, 'tis bloody good!