Oh, another thing that just occured to me about hand launching, no matter what style you use.

Have no fear. My worst launches have all been when I was most worried about getting a good launch. The best were when I wasn't thinking so much about it. When you worry too much, you get hesitant, and you don't get a good solid, smooth motion with solid follow through, and as a result, the airplane either leaves with out enough airspeed, or the throw was too sudden, and the engine sags.

So, Relax, take a deep breath, and try not to worry about it. Besides, most combat airplanes aren't going to be damaged by a 6' drop on to a grass field, it's about as mild of a crash as they will ever see.