Originally posted by mars01
As for inline or opposing cylinders this is not a problem to my knowledge.
Oil is tough to compress; you can easily bend a rod trying to do so.
The inline, inverted Ranger has to be pulled through too; oil collects in the rear cylinder(s).
The start/stop trick in AH is gamey. Not because it "couldn't be done", though. It could. WW2 engines are pretty robust and forgiving of abuse.
The engine will turn as long as there is airspeed to turn the prop (feathering not included). RPM won't change much if the engine is off for short periods and "shock cooling" isn't a factor in the short term.
The gamey part is that 99% of WW2 vet pilots would look at you as if you were demented if you suggested this as a valid air combat tactic.