I have the kit and have been wanting to build it, but one problem.

How is anybody able to remove the plastic from the sprues and still retain the weld seam beneath them? Very carefully, or has someone come up with a technique? And if you lose a weld seam section, is there a way to repair it? Afraid to work on it without an answer. Thank you.

Hi Tom.
I had just finished Dragon´s Jaboschrek kit and had the same problems. As it was being loaded into a rail car, I didn´t bother trying to fix the seam. I thought it was hardly noticeable
That was until I saw a friends kit ..... he removed all the weld seam, as its impossible to save, and replaced it with 0.3mm plastic rod the whole way round, softened it with cement and the weld pattern added with a hypodrmic needle. I must say ... mines has now become sooooo noticeable, and a big regret to this day!! This method looked great as well!

I guess another alternative would be add etched welding, as it would conform easy enough to the shape or even better .... archer 3D weld decals!
See their "surface details" page HERE

Arc weld or perfect weld, Frank?

i have replaced weld beads befor by heating a piece of spure, like to make arials the tamiya way, but strech them out thinner, then brush them in glue and bend round the line to be welded and stipple it with the back of a knife of something similer to give it a rougher finish. similer to frank said his mate did.

hope this helps
neil