I was disappointed by that cut as well. Another scene I wish they left in was when Shinji was on the escalator reading his Nerv handbook on his way to meet Unit-01, and he passes by Unit-01's hand floating in LCL behind him.
I voted for my 1/48 VF-1S strike. I'm thinning out my collection right now, and this is the only one that I will not part with.
and my soon-to-be 1/60 VF-1S strike!