Father-Son Duo Smashes 400mph Drone Speed Record

A father and son team just proved that garage innovation can beat corporate labs, building the world's fastest racing drone at a blistering 408 miles per hour.

Luke Bell, a videographer and drone hobbyist, teamed up with his dad to reclaim the world record for fastest first-person view drone after a year of friendly competition with other builders. Their latest design doesn't just edge out the competition. It shatters the previous 389mph record.

The Bells started this journey last June with a drone that barely cracked 300mph. Fellow YouTube creator Samgo responded with a 346mph design, pushing the Bells to upgrade their cooling systems, aerodynamics, and power output to hit 363mph. Then professional drone videographers Ben Biggs and Aiden Kelley captured the crown at 389mph.

But the Bells weren't done. Their newest drone features upgraded motors, a redesigned aerodynamic body, and carefully trimmed rotors that let it slice through the air at record speed. The machine screams past observers with a high-pitched whine, moving almost too fast for the human eye to track.

To celebrate their achievement, they built a second version equipped with a 360-degree camera to capture footage of the record-breaking flight. The video shows just how incredible 408mph looks from another drone's perspective.

The Ripple Effect

This friendly competition among hobbyists isn't just about bragging rights. The innovation happening in backyard workshops is already influencing real-world applications. Ukraine has adapted similar high-speed drone technology for their Wild Hornet Sting interceptor, which catches jet-powered attack drones mid-flight. The techniques these hobbyists develop today could help protect lives tomorrow.

The speed race also shows how accessible cutting-edge technology has become. A father-son team with passion and determination can outperform professional labs, proving that the next breakthrough might come from anyone's garage.

The Bells have now reclaimed their title, but knowing this community, someone is already sketching designs for a 450mph drone. For now, though, a hobbyist holds the crown, and that's worth celebrating.