Yes, the YT Frieghter that had the cockpit in the centre was a previous version (ie it had a lower number).
This was a well debated issue on this end but this is Lucas we are talking about. If he puts a YT-130 in the film, its going to be the Falcon. From a well informed fan perspective it shouldn't be, your right. we know Lucas dosn't follow this line of thought with his General Chewbacca.
Yea, Lucas would be "Oh yea, that's ____, the previous Falcon owner (before Lando)."
And why is everyone so upset about Chewbacca? In the Expanded Universe, you find out he was a very important person in his tribe for one so young (a mere 80). He was captured by Imperials and turned into a slave before Han rescued him. If he was a battle leader (like he is later on in the series) durring the Clone Wars, it would make sense compared to all the otehr things written/known about Chewie.
Him knowing Yoda just puts into perspective the convoluted mechanings of the Force. It was no coincidence that Chewie talked to Obi-Wan on Tatooine, or that they becames friends with Luke. It was all meant to be. Prophecy and all.