One of the stories I would like told, was when we developed an engine problem shortly after take-off. Because I didn't and still don't understand the technicalities of the procedure that "Red" and "Swede" devised and subsequently used.

Preparing for take-off, the entire crew seemed relaxed and in great humor as a lot of good natured kidding was going on. The take-off was routine, but just about the time we reached our altitude and were joining our squadron formation, our number 3 engine started to run-away. Immediately Swede Severson, our pilot dropped behind the formation, now on it's way to the target. "Swede and "Red" Baker, our flight engineer, engaged in a loud and fast "what if?" discussion, ending in a "Swede" declaration of "Let's try it". "Red" went to the rear of the flight deck, adjacent to the bomb-bay to a fuse box and when Swede gave the signal on the inter-com, Red pulled a fuse, the desired result had been attained - a fixed pitch propeller.

At this point, Swede called the entire crew on inter-com to explain the mechanical situation and what he and Red could do to try to keep the engine from being a hindrance. He made it clear that most pilots would probably abort the mission and return to base, but before his little speech was through, the inter-com was bussing from all stations with "C'mon Swede, this is a Milk-Run, Let's Go." So on we went, all the way and back, with Swede shouting his "NOW" and Red pulling his fuse. This process over and over and over again. The briefing was right. There was light and inaccurate flak over the target and we were able to drop our load successfully.

I always thought that this was a mission that "Swede" and "Red" should have received the Distinguished Flying Cross. Instead, when "Red" reported the malfunctioning engine to the ground maintenance crew chief, he was countered with an angry retort of "With that problem you had to abort" and a subsequent threat to report our pilot and flight engineer for not adhering to a particular Squadron Maintenance Regulation. "Red", the Flight Engineer's Aircraft Performance Report in hand, he announced to the crew, "You guys load the truck and go to debriefing. I'll be there later, I think it will take me about a half hour to write up all the maintenance deficiencies I found on this plane. I think it may take the ground crew about two weeks to correct them all".

Results: A successful mission (Milk-Run)
Great ingenuity between the Pilot and Flight Engineer
No report of breach of regulations
No elongated report of maintenance deficiencies since the angry Ground Crew Chief did not report us.

Mentioned by Radio Operator: When power setting or cruise control was set for engines #1, #2, #4, the pilot would coax the R.P.M. switch for #3, which was oscillating 800 R.P.M., to stabilize at 1750 R.P.M. He would then holler "Now", the fuse was pulled for #3 prop governor, and we would have a fixed pitch prop.

Each time the lead pilot would change power setting, and since we were in formation, we would have to do the procedure all over again. That is how we flew all the way to the target and home. "Red" Baker, Flight Engineer