A Western Cape father and son team has once again made South African engineering history, smashing their own world record for the fastest battery-powered drone with a mind-blowing speed that puts even high-performance supercars to shame!
Luke Bell and his father Mike Bell have tripled down on their Guinness World Records success, with their latest achievement reaching an incredible 657.59 km/h (408.60 mph) on 11 December, 2025, in Cape Town. This marks their third consecutive world record in just over a year, demonstrating their relentless pursuit of engineering excellence.
The Bell duo’s record-breaking trajectory tells a remarkable story of persistence and innovation:
2024: First official record at 480.23 km/h with Peregreen 2
June 2025: Improved to 580 km/h
December 11, 2025: Latest achievement of 657.59 km/h
This latest milestone represents a 37% speed increase from their original 2024 record and comes after over two years of dedicated development work on their custom-built quadcopter.
From setbacks to success
Their journey began with the original Peregreen model, which reached 397 km/h but was never officially recognized by Guinness World Records. “Unfazed by this, Luke and Mike went back to the drawing board,” according to official record documentation.
The path wasn’t without challenges – several malfunctions during testing included wires and batteries overheating to the point of causing electrical fires. However, each setback only fuelled their determination to push the boundaries further.
The record-breaking drone continues to feature a lightweight carbon fibre shell that was 3D printed at a local workshop. The Bells worked alongside aerothermal engineer Chris Rosser to perfect the drone’s aerodynamics and control systems, combining high-tech motors and batteries with continuously refined, streamlined designs.
This technological triumph builds on an impressive family legacy. Mike Bell, an accomplished architect, designed the iconic Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, which hosted four matches during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Luke Bell has established himself as a prominent content creator, regularly reviewing drones and cameras on his YouTube and Instagram channels. As a Sony ambassador, he brings his technical expertise to a wider audience through digital platforms, inspiring the next generation of engineering enthusiasts.
With three world records in just over a year, the Bell family shows no signs of slowing down. Their continuous innovation and record-breaking achievements have firmly established South Africa as a leader in high-speed drone technology.
For drone enthusiasts and engineering fans wanting to follow Luke Bell’s future projects and potentially even more record attempts, his content can be found on YouTube and Instagram where he continues to showcase cutting-edge technology and innovation.
The official title remains “fastest ground speed by a battery-powered remote-controlled (RC) quadcopter” – a record that the Bell family continues to redefine with each attempt.
