Ok, Pete...here we go.
The Spitfire that I fly is a Merlin engined version. The later
Griffon engines were a completely different ball game, as I shall
relate.
Take Off: Lined up on the runway (grass preferred), stick HARD back,
half right aileron applied. If you did not have any aileron applied for
the early part of the roll the ac would be left wing low and crab to
the left.
Power is gently applied initially to ensure the tailwheel is
straight, thus the ac will set off initially in the direction you
want. This lasts for about 20 ft.

Once rolling straight, power is applied in one smooth movement to
around +6 lb Boost (RPM is set at max, which is 3000 rpm). Wartime
they used up to +18 lbs, but we conserve the engines these days, as
well as having a lighter airframe, no guns, ammo, extra fuel or
radio's, etc. The max we can use is +12, which is the certification
for the propellor. We never use it!! +6 is entirely sufficient!
The pilots notes state full right rudder trim, to counter the prop
wash. We actually leave the trim neutral and use the rudder alone.
Some other operators do it by the book. The result is the same,
except if you apply full right then you need to wind off a LOT of
trim about 30 seconds after you are airborne. And that is when you
are at your busiest with the gear retraction/power reduction/climb
angle setting, etc!
So, smoothly up to +6, keeping the ac straight down the grass using
coarse application of rudder initially, then reducing it as the speed
increases. It is very effective from the point you have +6 applied
as there is a HUGE amount of propwash over the tail.
Keeping it straight is a giggle, as you have to use references either
side of the nose until you have raised the tail. It is a bit like
driving your car down the motorway at 60 mph, from the centre of the
rear seat, with the windscreen covered with newspapers!!! Try it
sometime! It can be done...but you waggle your head from side to
side a lot!
Speed now about 20-30 mph, ease the stick forward, and at the same
time ease off the aileron until neutral. Stick goes JUST forward of
neutral and the tail will come off the ground. NO FURTHER! All you
need is it 6" off the grass, to allow the airflow to work on the
rudder. The attitude out the front is slightly nose up, NOT level.
You can see quite well to keep straight at this point.
Keep it straight (not too difficult really), and it does not swing as
violently as the armchair experts will have you believe! However, if
you fail to KEEP it straight, you will develop a ground loop, which
is like a hand brake turn. This will tip a wing onto the grass, wipe
out the gear, then prop, then radiators...
Speed builds VERY rapidly, it bounces along the grass feeling lighter
and lighter on its wheels, while at the same time rocking gently due
to the narrow track undercarriage.
At some point it will just want to fly. This is about 50-60 mph, so
you just let it go with a squeeze back on the stick. There is no
'rotate' as in airliners; you 'feel' it off the ground.
Once airborne, just let it accelerate close to the ground. Forward
force on the stick is required as the airspeed increases, and you
have no hands free for the trim wheel at this stage! The unwary will
pitch up into a steep climb - not safe!
Squeeze on the brakes for 2 secs to stop the wheels rotating, then
left hand on stick (from throttle), right hand onto the gear lever.
That is another chapter, on how to/ how not to, retract the gear!
Once gear is up, swop hands again, reduce power to +4 boost, reduce
RPM to 2250 rpm, and the incredible noise reduces to something more
manageable.
Griffon engines, another story.
As for the roll rate, I don't know what you are after. need to
explain that a little better. rapid is the answer, generally!
Hope this helps
Regards,
Rats