33LIMA

Try this, worked for me just now (had the same problem):
 
Open the file Phonix_DATA.INI and edit as follows:
 
[Pilot]
SystemType=PILOT_COCKPIT
PilotModelName=narrowpltA.LOD   ----- change this from narrowplt.LOD to narrowpltA.lod, as shown.
PilotHeadNodeName=Head
Position=0.0,0.05,-0.01
MinExtentPosition=-0.27,0.2,-0.2
MaxExtentPosition= 0.27,-0.2,0.7
 
Clue was, I had files in my Objects/Pilots folder for narrowpltA, but nothing for narrowplt. Works fine, now:
 

Hi there!
 
Can't help with the gunnery; fly the same planes a lot in 'Bloody April' and other campaigns, no such problem, and that's flying at the hardest setting. Only issue I have is learning to judge the aiming point in the absence of a better gunsight view. I assume you're getting close enough?
 
Not necessarily THIS close:
 

 
...but at least THIS close:
 

 
Re takeoffs, in most cases I make a habit of pushing the stick forward and raising the tail as soon as I can anyway, to reduce drag and gain speed faster, so I'm not sure if I would have the same problem as you, otherwise. Many clips of WW1 planes taking off seem to show this being done. Are you flying 'Hard' Flight Model setting? If so, some 3rd party planes are 'optimised' for the less realistic 'Normal' FM. The solution for this is to use Peter01's set of modified FMs which is designed for the 'Hard' setting and provides new FMs for all these planes. Some 3rd party planes will not take off at all on 'Hard' without this FM mod. Only issue is that it also rather nerfs 2-seater gunners, I had to hand-edit them all back to make them more dangerous.
 
If you really want an interesting take-off, try an RE8 with a full bomb load; you may be glad you can 'ghost' through trees!
 
Not sure about the micro-stutter. By design FE, much better than the others in this respect, gives us both visible and audible stall buffeting effects. so your nose will judder when entering a stall. But if you're experiencing a really odd visual judder, often in a stalled or a very odd flight attitude, then I have noticed this and think it's an FM oddity with some 3rd party planes. Again, Peter01's FM seems to be best all round.