> this should be a free upgrade, since it's not unreasonable to assume
> that the faceplate should be the same as the mk1.

The Mk.2 front panel has nothing whatever in common with the Mk.1 since it's injection moulded plastic, not a machined panel. We couldn't get an AR coating in time to begin Mk.2 production, and in fact we've only recently secured a supplier for the next major production run (in October).

Rob