A really fine rubbed out dope finish has very fine scratches that reflect light in a different way than anything else. That is what gives you that depth of finish that is hard to describe.

I don't know how I'd describe it, I just know it when I see it and I find it very attractive. It sort of exudes the effort of the person that finished it. It also has a quality to it that no other finish has.

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.