Believe it or not, I have good luck with my trusty small can of Minwax polyacrylic and you can get it in any sheen you want. Depending on your needle size, straight or 1:1 varnish:water in the airbrush, 2-3 light coats. You can use water-based polyurethane as well, I've sprayed that right on, but prefer the polyacrylic, lower VOCs. An 8oz (smallest) can will last you the rest of your modelling career., <$10. If you are using a regular brush, use the polyurethane, less drippy. You can get any sheen you want there too.
For sheens on many 1:24 or smaller models, I think satin looks the best. Glossy is for very specific effects but you might find that matte, ultimately, looks too textured. You kind of have to consider scaling your light scatter, and thus your sheen, on wood along with your model, if that makes any sense.
IMHO. Best to experiment experiment experiment.