I like the idea of a diverse military. It makes for more interesting game balance as well as better aesthetics. The problem is getting the game balance just right so that properly played every side as an equal chance. But even if you just have different looking icons for the same unit, doesn't the graphical variety strike you as more visually appealing?
After all, the game can be played with allot fewer icons then even Firaxas supplied. Sort of like AOE which allows some identical looking units to be upgraded from one to another... as in adding heavier armor, sharper swords, superior metal smithy, etc. Personally I am glad of the diversity. The world is diverse, the game should be too.
I'm not a fan of the scale (size) that wyrmshadow makes his vehicle (typcailly 3x's the pixels of stock), but even with this complaint, I'm glad he and others are supplying added visual flair to our beloved game.
ps: if you're going to advocate minimalism, you should change your sig where you advertise your own mod as anything but minimalist.