It might have been 40years OK and was pretty OK when I learnt at Swinderby 25 years ago. But most of them have knackered gyro instruments thes days and don't make a great a instrument platform. They also only allow you to flow a single type of approach which will be the SRA or PRA. Non of them I have seen have the avionics for a pilot interpreted approach. So would require moving to another type to complete the course.
I do wonder sometimes Beagle if you look at a bygone age with rose tinted spectacles.
Its a moot point though as a check again on GINFO shows virtually all the Chipmunks on permit now as well. Something to do with the outrageous fees DH Support are making. So either Mickey Kay is going to be very busy or your dream of people training for an IMC on national types is a pipe dream!!