Luke and Mike Bell, a father and son duo from South Africa, have once again claimed the title for the world’s fastest quadcopter according to the Guinness World Records. Their drone, the Peregreen V4, created using 3D printing technology, reached a record-breaking speed of 657.59 km/h (408 mph).

Regaining the Record

This achievement surpassed the previous record set just a month earlier by Australian engineer Benjamin Biggs, whose drone reached 626 km/h (389 mph). Before Biggs’ accomplishment, Luke and Mike Bell had already held the record twice: in June 2024 with the Peregreen 2 (480 km/h) and in October 2025 with the Peregreen 3 (585 km/h). The latest version of their drone allowed them to reclaim the record in the ongoing race for the title of the world’s fastest quadcopter.

Technology and Innovation

The Peregreen V4 was developed by Luke Bell, an aerial cinematographer from Cape Town, with support from his father Mike. This is the fourth iteration of their custom drone, the result of over two years of continuous refinement. In addition to high-speed models, the Bell team has also created a separate solar-powered drone capable of flying in sunlight, though at lower speeds.

Using 3D printing enabled rapid prototyping and quick design changes. For the Peregreen V4, they used a high-speed dual-extruder Bambu Lab H2D printer, which allowed them to combine different materials in a single part—for example, using specific properties for the tail and the camera mount.

“The large print volume and dual-nozzle system of the new printer made it possible to print the body as a single piece,” Luke noted in a video dedicated to the record.

Design Features

The new version of the drone features significant hardware and structural improvements. To enhance reliability, the Bells chose T-Motor 3120 brushless motors and increased the windings to 900 kV (up from 800 kV in the previous version) for higher rotational speeds. Power is supplied by lithium-ion polymer batteries designed for maximum power output over short periods.

To optimize aerodynamics, the team used the AirShaper 3D modeling platform, which helped them create a more streamlined body and reduce air resistance. The propeller blades were reduced to 6 inches to achieve even greater top speeds.

Testing and Record Flight

During testing, the Peregreen V4 flew in opposite directions to compensate for wind effects, as is standard in such trials. The average top speed was 657.59 km/h (408 mph), setting a new world record for battery-powered, remote-controlled quadcopters.

Due to the drone’s small size and extreme speed, capturing video footage of the flight proved challenging. The team solved this by using the camera from their previous record-setting model, the Peregreen 3.

Outlook and Competition

Given the intense competition in this field, the new record may not stand for long—it could be broken by rivals or even by Luke and Mike Bell themselves. In any case, following the developments in this high-speed race is truly fascinating.