I seen the new bluish UI, I suspect that it means that eventually someone will give the Firebird a paint job, so it fit bitter (more brownish tone?)
If possible I ask that while you do that, some adjustments to its shape will be appreciated as well, because right now it looks to me as if it made of paper and flight capable as chicken. Obviously you have various constraints (poly count, size, gameplay etc) on your mind, still some minor adjustments to the top, beneath the forward wings and tail section can be nice.