Thanks for the PM Dora-9. My initial Command was on the 727 and I agree the Engineer was not fully integrated. Once on the 743, in my personal opinion, this was much improved. We were trained by Qantas and our procedures changed quite a bit. SQ were similar.
I then flew the 744 for 11 years and I must say, the best and safest operation was always the one with a Flight Engineer on the old girl. A great loss to the Industry when this 3 man crew configuration was removed.
Ansett received much criticism after the INH incident to the point Qantas called us 'F Troop'. Unfair in my opinion, we were far from perfect, but in operations I have witnessed since, not that bad.
I subsequently flew with both Will and Les on many occasions and would fly with them both anytime, anywhere. Nice guys, just the old 'wrong place at the wrong time'.