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Is it possible for the Pawl to "disappear" in an R-9a in a 40-160?
...trying to diagnose inoperative OD - removed and tested the solenoid, and one observer said he couldn't see the Pawl??

Presuming OD was not disassembled and pawl not reinstalled, I don't think it can fall out but if the solenoid was installed improperly without the ball on the plunger end being inserted in the pawl slot, the pawl can get pushed inward to the engaged position and might be harder to see.

The issue if the pawl was pushed in would be the OD is always engaged and with it in overdrive, on an R9 if reverse gear was actually able to be engaged and power applied the force could have damaged the OD when trying to get the car to move.

There is an article in the Aug 15, 1947 service counselor describing the action which causes damage when OD is still engaged and reverse is selected. The article was written because electrical problems can cause the solenoid to engage and issue results but if the pawl is mechanically pushed into engagement the same scenario applies.