Making a mesh partially invisible?

Hello.

In my 3D game, I want to split a model, for example when it’s cut in half by a sword.
The model should then fall to each side (like in “The Dome” by Stephen King where the dome cuts a cow in 2 halves).

I think I need to use the same model twice and hide one side of each to give the illusion that it’s been split in two. Then I will ragdoll each of the 2 models.

Is this a good approach?

And does anybody have any idea how I can make one half of a mesh invisible?

Thank you very much!

If I have understood well, you don’t need this trick. Simply change the full mesh with the two half meshes when it is hitten by the sword.