Look guys.
The bottom line is if you want one of these baby's you are going to either pay VAT on any UK upgrade programme via OWL, or (potentially worst case) VAT on any US upgrade programme. Either way it is unlikely you will get around the VAT although there is a chance you might if you go the US route.
You can be certain that if you order from OWL you will pay shipping and VAT costs that Owl incur in getting the units to the UK. Period. They won't do it for free.
That is why they are probably quoting £2000 ish for the VP50 without upgrade when at current exchange rates $3000 would in fact be £1590.
Interestingly adding VAT @ 17.5% would increase this to £1865 and adding the same $250 shipping handling etc. fee mentioned for the international upgrade would take it to £2000........ Coincidence - I think not.
QED - ok I have ignored import duty - maybe that is the ish part.
The advantage of the US route is you get the AVS discount of $400 if you pre-order before midnight tonight. That is worth a preorder in my view and I will be tapping in my credit card details shortly! If I escape VAT because of a screw up by DVDO on their offer details then so much the better.
Decision to be made should be simple:
a) Do you want it now or at some point in the future?
If the answer is "now" then order away and save $400
If the answer is "future" then ask:
b) is it worth having now to get a $400 saving from the AVS offer?
If the answer is "yes" then order away and save $400
If the answer is "no" then wait and see how things develop and be confident with DVDO their upgrade plan will be available for as long as you need it to be.
Me - as I say I answered "future" to a) and "yes" to b). Order in later.