So what are the odds that those of us that purchased this "old" kit when it came out will be able to get the "new" searchlight parts and the cover parts from Dragon?

I am glad they changed the kit but this was a big miss in the first place.

They are not the same kit. The "old" one is the later version (fielded in '67) M48A3 Mod B. The "new" one is the older version M48A3. They are different in many areas. The M48A3 does include a search light and covered mantlet though. Good luck getting the parts from Dragon.