A previous instance of the displacement of the FE from the cockpit occurred in the 1940’s, after World War 2, when the Lancaster bomber was converted to the civilian Lancastrian, of which Qantas operated 9.
The Qantas Lancastrian, without heating or sound insulation, carried nine passengers in a row of seats facing inwards along the port side of what was previously the bomb bay. It flew to Japan, South Africa, and in conjunction with BOAC, the Kangaroo Service. The typical crew was 2 pilots, navigator and wireless operator.
In the Lancaster, the FE sat beside the pilot on a collapsible seat known as a “second dicky seat”. (Almost all British bombers, and most German bombers, had only a single pilot as opposed to American practice of carrying two pilots). For take-off and landing the FE set the throttles as called by the pilot. On bomb target runs, whilst the pilot controlled height and attitude, the FE adjusted speed with power.
Secondary instruments such as engine temps, pressures, and electrics, hydraulics etc. were located on a side mounted panel behind the FE.
If the pilot was incapacitated, it was expected the FE would assume control. Depending on his night flying skills, the options then were either to bail out or risk a crash landing.
Pilot/FE Ops Manual
FE's side panel
Single pilot/FE Lancaster
Two pilot Lancastrian (undergoing restoration, hence the odd yoke position).
