In my opinion you find this in places other than model planes. In the late 70s/early 80s I helped construct a few custom built homes. We would stain and hand rub the cabinets and other wood work. We would then coat it with a lacquer type sanding sealer. After sanding, we would wipe and clean the dust off then start building up a lacquer finish. I will readily admit to the greater durability of currently available urethanes, but there is something about a lacquer finish with with lots of hand rubbing that really cathes the eye. Because dope is a kind of lacquer I think this is comparable.