Tomek: thanks so much for the pics. The foto is just gorgeous! Is it me or does that humber wear diagonal and cross country pattern tires? That might look awesome on mine.
Paul:
Well, I use a kind of apllicator that's not easily obtailable. I use a micro file used for root canal treatment. There are some online hobby stores that sell them. But maybe ask your friendly neighbourhood dentist, he'll give you some. They're perfect for this and come in different sizes.
One other method is dipping the tip of a length of 0.4 wire in superglue and lying it on tissue paper. When the glue is hardened you gently pull the wire free and whoalah: extrafine micro brush. Adaptable to your wishes and if gotten too big just snip it off and start over.
As for glue thickness... well, I exclusively use this glue:
http://www.supergluecorp.com/zap/zap-glues/zap-gapGot a very clever cap (you can use to the last drop) and sticks like a sonofa. AND: reacts lovely to their own brand kicker. The thickness is medium I think, just right and better than anything else I tried.
Just be shure not to apply too thick a layer. Because when the reaction starts after applying kicker the glue gets hot inside and you get bubbles in/on the seam. Very nasty on a modern jet's spine!
Which brings me to your method of cleaning up seams: I do this, too, but only an WW2 planes and there at wing roots and elevators, basicaly curved surfaces. Because any puty other than cyano WILL shrink and even after a few days (when all painting is done and you fantasize about calling it a day) you will find nasty dents where the seams used to be, preferably on an F-15's spine or intake root. Go ahead, ask me how I know this...
So, I'd do it as you did only not on the spine.
For checking seams I use a very dark matte grey, thinnned down to a consistence which would be perfect for shading. That i really finely mist over the area to check. After that just hold it against the light at an angle. Best method to see gaps and putty blobs.
Hope this helps. That's only my preference, mind you. And the product of countles battles with my former pet hate: puttying and sanding
