Airbubba.
I was a professional FE for nearly40 years on Connies, B707 and B747.While I didn't operate DC8s I rode jump seat on many and they weren't much different to the B707 including having similar engines and systems.
I cant see how they could be operated legally or practically without the FEs station manned full time and I certainly cant see how they could be flown any distance" without moving the white knobs on the fuel panel"? Also who monitors all the indications on the panel and runs the air conditioning and pressurisation?
Beside the practical, the DC8 was legally certified as a 3 crew aircraft. To change that would mean a new certification which is what FedEx did to achieve the MDC10 status.
The L188 is a different situation as the FEs station is fwd facing ,similar to the Herc.
Wunwing