Not at all. The intention was bluntly exactly that. If the pilot was incapacitated or killed if the flight engineer had at least basic flight training he would have a fighting chance to get the plane home..
"washed out" may be a bit harsh. Many late war RAF Flight engineers had recieved basic flight training and destined to be pilots but re designated to flight engineers or BAN training due to a surplus of bomber pilots under training by early 44.
Particularly considering the considerable RCAF influx of bomber crews in 44. Interestingly often these crews were without flight engineers. Flight engineers required more specialist training on plane type and the RCAF crews did not know which plane type (Lanc, Halifax, etc) they were destined for whilst under training in Canada.
RAF flight engineers ( originally training to be pilots) were trained to be added to the RCAF crews.
My father being one of them............ So I may be somewhat biased.
However the flight engineers duty to act as standby by pilot was no ad hoc unofficial arrangement......... Even if he did not have sufficient rank to gain access to the Officers mess.
