That doc is a great contribution, Blue! Did it Come with one of your Model 4s? If, so we can establish a serial number link with the production of the pictorial manual!
I'm not sure if the typed manual confirms the the existence of the front carrier arm variant into production, but sure doesn't harm the theory either.
I've been discussing the issue with a very well resourced collector(if not the best resourced, from what I can gather)and he has shed some light on the matter. Where to begin...
The operating manual offers conflicitng information. It pictures the front Predicta flap in two states. The first, as pictured in the above black and white photograph, is of the first state, while the diagram showing how to adjust the front mechanism is of the second state.
The parts manual, also offers some intriguing info. Not published until October 58, the "Predicta Assembly - Mark 1" diagram illustrates the second state.
The parts list notes the part in question (6-005) as not having an alternative. What it does however list, is an alternative for the part number 6-025 (Rear cross rod, grooved (early model Predicta)) which appears as number 15 in the schematic drawing. Part number 6-026 (Rear cross rod clip (early model Predicta)) which appears as number 23 in the schematic drawing.
What to make of all this? Well after an at-length discussion with the previously mentioned collector, we made some inroads into possible scenarios. Either the photograph from the user manual is of a prototype that didn't pass into production, or it did go into production, but not long enough to appear in the User Manual. Alternatives for part numbers 6-025 and 6-026 indicate their was revision to the rear Predicta setup, but it would be assumed such revisions would also be noted for the front flap, had they been made. Either way, the Predicta did appear in two states, just not as I had thought.
It was also brought to my attention that the advertisement of the 24th of August, 1957, does state "order now" suggesting they may not have had them in stock, and were anticipating a forecast release date, so whilst we can confirm without doubt, that the design/development and production of the Automatic was underway by this time, we cannot be sure they were actually in stores...ugh.
In summary, It seems more likely that the photograph in the User Manual is that of a prototype that didn't make it to the point of sale - but this can only be confirmed by the engineering drawing I mentioned earlier. If I can see it in the flesh, then I may be able to go further.
