Vulcanised
I don't remember the incident and cannot quite understand your description of it. The Carvair nosewheel didn't 'turn' on retraction, unless the torque link failed and the oleo turned through 90° as a result. That would certainly cause it not to retract properly. The crew actions you describe seem rather bizarre as that could have resulted in a serious out of trim condition and if the aircraft was in the normal configuration the seats would be in the rear cabin anyway.