General Atomics MQ-1B Predator, Italeri 1289

The MQ-1 Predator was my first UAV or drone in my 1:72 planes collection back in 2010. I was very glad about this, since drones were already being used in various conflicts, although not as actively as now (in 2025). I know that many modelers do not like drone models and prefer manned aircraft, but the world has already entered the era of unmanned combat operations, so there would be more and more models of UCAVs and optionally piloted planes in future as well as various ground unmanned systems. Regarding directly Italeri's MQ-1, it is quite simple and small model. Only one weak element is thin landing gear struts, which, however, can withstand the weight of a light airplane. Now I don't have many drones in my collection, so Predator continues to be a black sheep between piloted planes models, but there is a model of another well known drone of its size and class in my stash, waiting for assembly - Bayraktar TB2.