That is why I stated my comment at at the end but thanks for your post b1. Will add something here...
In general I just canīt imagine any flight crew leaving the gear down - on purpose - with an Eng failure during T/O. One wants to climb and also prepare for the unexpected.
It is also a requirement for the second segment climb. (Do not know if that applies to the B-17)
No, I frankly do not think they lost number 3 engine (if they did) because of leaving it with high power. Engine was new and the data shows a descend what, 3 min after T/O at the most ??