What I've suggested before is that every couple times your ship's type changes, a layer of detail is added to it. It would be like the shield graphics, except it would be permenant. Also, a top translucent layer that would change color depending on the dominant type of armor you have.
And perhaps the same thing with the shields.

hmm... good point.
Perhaps if you can't see the shield type, it's just a normal shield shimmer.
But with hull, if you can't see it, you can only see a ship silouette.
This could also leave room for a new type of spy probe.

Spy Probe: Hull
and Spy Probe: Shield

When used, if you can't already see their hull or shield type, it would reveil it to you.

Somewhat negated with a hefty enough scan.

yeah I scrap 'em. They're pretty much worthless.
Resource porbes are used in the Mylarai Race Unlock mission but Weapons and Defences probes are a waste of space. They need to be used in a mission or in a CT Lab discovery.

Yeah, maybe if their scan is high enough you can only see the type of armor or shield via their ship picture, but you would be unable to get numbers.

Do you mean just the ship graphics? or actual ship models with different ability/perks?

+1 for the idea whichever it is.

I'd like to see the ship graphic actually showing that your ship is getting bigger and better. having the same graphic that you had as scout class just seems to make it feel pointless (personal opinion)

yeah I scrap 'em. They're pretty much worthless.
Resource porbes are used in the Mylarai Race Unlock mission but Weapons and Defences probes are a waste of space. They need to be used in a mission or in a CT Lab discovery.

This has been suggested before. Along with different racial avatars (eg male/female of each race).

My suggestion was to let you choose which one shows, and have some GP only (dan wins) or unlocked at certain milestones (Rank 100, 1000th kill, that sort of thing)