The M9 Armored Combat Earthmover (ACE) is a highly mobile armored tracked vehicle that provides combat engineer support to front-line forces. Fielded by the United States Army, its tasks include eliminating enemy obstacles, maintenance and repair of roads and supply routes, and construction of fighting positions. (Wikipedia)

Takom released a 1/35th scale model of this vehicle in 2015. That kit has been reviewed elsewhere and one of the minor shortcomings of that kit (and there are few) owes more to the limitations of injection molded styrene than to anything else. The oversized and out of scale headlight covers being one of those items that is first to come to mind.

But like the proverbial white knight, Hauler has come to the rescue. One of their latest offerings is a photo-etch set of replacement parts for the Takom M9 ACE. Hauler provides two small frets of brass to enhance the kit in all the appropriate areas. The set includes two Jerry can holders, a rear boarding step, a two-piece drive sprocket, a vehicle commanders cupola shield, a rear storage rack, and a plethora of tie down handles(among other bits). All in all, an easy to use and apply set of photo-etch that will heighten the overall look of the base kit.

Another manufacturer has released an aftermarket photo-etch set for this vehicle but that offering tends to suffer from complexity. One of the best pieces of advise I have ever received regarding the use of photo-tech is that... you don't have to use it all. This photo-etch set from Hauler adds just the right amount of flourish to the Takom M9 ACE languishing in your stash. Or it might even prompt you to go get the base kit. Should you do so, be sure and add this photo-etch set from Hauler to your purchase.

My thanks to Hauler for the review copy.