Good question. And you're certainly on the right forum to ask it!
I almost exclusively build old CBKs from Airfix, Matchbox and Frog mainly. Plus the occasionally limited run kit from Eastern Europe (Amodel, Special Hobby and the like) and rarely build a modern tooled kit and never a Tamigawa.
Why? Not sure, a combination of lots of things.
Nostalgia as some have said, the old kits take me back to my childhood in the 1970s and I love the memories.
Low parts count. I model only in 1/72 and I think the level of detail in modern kits is often too much for such a small scale, a bit daunting when one looks at the instructions, a bit over-engineered (as others have said) and some of it is arguably pointless and won't be seen once the model is finished. And that is a big thing for me. I'd never do competitions, I am nowhere near good enough, I only model for my own pleasure and if somebody glances at a model on the shelf they might say "Nice Beaufighter", but they are far less likely to say "Hmmmm, I notice that the flange bracket override switching lever is missing from the rear of the cockpit"
I think that in 1/72 the overall look of the finished model is more important than some pointless little detail that no one can see.
My absolute favourite kits at the moment are probably some people's least favourite. I like the Airfix Red Box re-releases. The same classic plastic inside that I remember from my youth but with far superior modern new decals and a more accurate painting guide, Perfect for me!
As James said, sometimes it is far more rewarding to fettle a couple of parts to make something good than it is to just glue 10 perfect fitting parts together that require little effort or thought.
But perhaps there's a bigger picture here.....
Why do so many people love Classic
anything? Not just kits but anything at all.
Take the huge following and enthusiasm for classic cars as an example. I'm a classic car enthusiast and have been for decades, classic American cars from the 60s and 70s to be precise. I love 'em despite their obvious shortcomings in comparison to modern cars.
I drive a modern American car as a daily driver and it's very good. Comfortable with electric everything, very efficient, smooth, fantastic stereo, good on safety with airbags everywhere, ABS brakes, stability control, traction control etc. etc. etc. As a car it is excellent but..... does it stir my soul? Does it get my juices flowing? Not really....
If the sun is out and I'm feeling good I'd much rather take one of my 1970s Chevrolet Camaros for a blast. Inefficient, loud, no ABS, dubious brakes and, erm, 'entertaining' handling (!) and all that. But by golly is it fun! The moment I fire up that big old V8 and it coughs and rumbles into life and the first prod of the throttle releases and seemingly endless wave of torque then I am no longer just driving somewhere, I am having a
Good Time!
And if I stop for petrol people come to look at it and talk to me. Nobody takes any notice at all of my modern car..... And I would imagine it would be the same for any classic car from any country. Yes, they are nowhere near as safe or efficient as a modern car but for some reason people love 'em.
And I feel the same about classic kits.
Classic, old 'Stuff' generates enthusiasm. Some people like antique furniture, old cars, even old hi-fi has a following. People collect old books and so it goes on. Nobody can quite explain it but it's there.
Any maybe that's the case with Classic Kits. We build 'em, we love 'em, but perhaps we're not quite sure why......
Hang on, I think I've over analysed this, I'll stop now. Must get out more.....
Zee28