Good looking build, looks like it was worth the hassle.
I can't tell you how many times I broke a delicate part while cutting it from the sprue. It's a pain in the neck, that's for certain. I'm not sure what you use to remove parts from the sprue but I imagine you probably use some type of sprue cutter. They're great tools and I have several that I use but for some of the finer parts they're just too big and clunky.
A few years ago I discovered a great tool for separating those teeny-tiny parts from the sprue.
It's a set of photo etch craft saw blades from Tamiya. They're available through most online hobby retailers
These do have to be cut out and folded for use but they're great for cutting those tiny parts loose without damage.
If you're not up for cutting and folding then Micro Mark has a version that looks like it can be used "right out of the box" so to speak.
Micro Mark Ultra Fine Saw Blade
I haven't tried these so I can't speak to their suitability but I'm guessing that they're about the same size as a single edge blade so they should work well. And they're from Micro Mark so they will be useful for something.
Best regards,
David G.