I think when it comes to an issue such as this, the best answer is in whatever brings the user the most pleasure.
If the story feels more whole to you in thinking that some are materialized ghosts and can therefore retain some of their true form, then by all means go for it, that's what I stick with.
If you decide it's just a fourth wall breaking mess, then that's also your right.
This is just a question of how the audience interprets the stage.
Shall we ask Bethesda to put in a chorus that beg our humble indulgence and acknowledge this cockpit cannot so hold a thousand ghost models?