I like what a lot of people here have to say. I'm in agreement with all those who love to create something from flat stock. The bottom line is "creation". People do things with their free time to express their need to create something. It's also a combination of a few other things. Creativity plays in two forms: The joy of tangible results, and the choice of unique style and taste of one's personal vision. The other aspects appeal to all those who have a technical thirst for introducing variations of (once again) personal expression in the design/construction. There is a lot to be said about this particular hobby that sets it aside from others of similar nature... such as making fine furniture. For many, including myself, this involves a performance aspect for the completed project. A pretty plane is only a fraction of the satisfaction. Performance in operation is another. This is still very different then say... Model boat building, and that requirement states: The plane has to fly!

For this reason alone, much more comes into play when a builder pulls up to the workbench with a fresh new set of plans or a new kit. In the end, the modeler will defy gravity.