Do you cut or not cut?

[Tracks]

To cut or not to cut, that is the question.

Just recently I was assembling a Rubicon Models kit. I was assembling yet another T-34 kit and I had the two following thoughts while working on it:

1) How simple and nice these T-34 kits really are. Both their T-34/76 and T34/85 kits are some of their earlier kts, and also are (in some ways) simpler to assemble with fewer parts, but yet they still have very good details and are just as nice as their newer kits.

2) How many other people actually cut the supporting connection bits between the wheels, and how many just leave it one when assembling?

What am I talking about? Have a look at parts C01 and C02 (or B15 and B16) of the T-34/76 kit. An even better example is to take a look at parts A08 and A09 from their Panzer IV Ausf F/F2/G/H kit because the support connections are much smaller.

However, I’m somewhat surprised Rubicon Models didn’t design it so that the support connections on the Panzer IV were on the inside when assembled instead on the outside where they are more noticeable. That being said, I think they learned from this, because on their Panzer III kits, they made it so that the support connections would be on the inside and therefore less noticeable.

Anyway, Rubicon Models’ idea of using these supporting connections between the wheels is actually a really good idea, and something I hope they continue to use. This gives a person a choice of an easy assembly, or if you do not want them because of looks or whatever, they are easily removed. Yes, it takes a bit of cutting and sanding/filing, but if they were individual wheel parts, you would be doing that anyway, so it’s not an issue.

I really like this feature, but now that I have said that, I always end up removing them because I like the cleaner look. Now, I have not assembled my Panzer III Ausf E… yet. Because these smaller supporting connection bits are on the inside (not the outside like on the Panzer IV kits), I might not remove them for ease of assembly. Only time will tell. I might end up removing them anyway because assembling these kits is part of the enjoyment.

Do you cut or not cut these off when you assemble your kits?

[ripley]

 On the T-34 I cut as I usually end up doing a wheel swap or two .

 I also cut the supports on my Tiger and both Panthers although with the interweaved wheel design they are not visible . But I know they are there and it bugs me  What does that say about me ?
 Question , do you remove / replace the molded on vehicle tools that look rather flat ? I try to depending on the bits in my parts bin , although most times adding stowage covers up the replacement parts . 

[H0ffmn]

 I always cut the supporting connection bits between the roadwheels. I don't  care for the way they look, although on some kits they are hard to see. I don't like removing the molded on vehicle tools. I don't  like taking the chance of  removing too much surrounding details, like the tread pattern on the mudguards of the Panzer 3 or Panzer 4 when doing this.

[Tracks]

Actually, I haven't really thought about removing and replacing the tools. Mostly because I don't have the extra tools like shovels and picks you would need to replace them, but I also think the molded on tools look more than good enough not to remove. I use my Rubicon Models for tabletop miniature gaming. For example, here is a pic of a couple of my Shermans.



That being said, if I were to build one for a model contest or something, I would be tempted to replace the tools if I could find the proper spare tools to replace them with.