A group of pilots were undertaking endorsement training on the aircraft. They had been briefed on ground handling and starting procedures for the aircraft. The starting procedure involved turning the propeller through with full throttle and ignition off, in order to pass fuel mixture to the cylinders. After that process the throttle was set to be set to 1/4 inch open and the ignition switches turned on for hand starting. On this occasion the instructor was outside the aircraft to hand swing the propeller and the pilot undergoing the endorsement was in the cockpit. The throttle had been set full open for the priming procedure and the instructor had asked for it to be set to 1/4 inch open. At this time the throttle was moved to a position which the trainee assumed was the appropriate setting. When the engine started it went quickly to a high rpm condition, the tail rose and the propeller was destroyed by contact with the ground. The trainee had not closed the throttle initially in order to obtain the correct datum from which to set the throttle for start. He later found that the throttle control movement was much greater than had been expected. In his previous experience, with nose-wheeled aircraft, a high rpm after start was of no concern from an aircraft attitude aspect, however with a tail-wheeled aircraft the tail can rise unexpectedly. Factors: 1. The trainee pilot was unfamiliar with the engine control movement; 2. The starting throttle position was not set from the closed throttle position; 3. The throttle was set too far open for start; 4. The flight controls were not set to help keep the tail low; 5. Timely action to reduce engine rpm was not taken; 6. The instructor did not check that the throttle and flight controls were properly set for start.