Luke Maximo Bell’s Peregreen 2: Breaking Drone Speed Barriers

Earlier this year, Luke and his team got together with Red Bull to unveil the World’s Fastest Drone. It raced against Max Verstappen in an F1 car, hitting speeds over 350km/h. The drone held the title briefly until YouTuber Luke Maximo Bell stepped up.

Bell took on the challenge and created a drone using 3D printing tech that was 50% faster, reaching an impressive 500km/h (310mph). This set a new record confirmed by the Guinness Book of World Records. The journey from prototype to construction, along with thrilling FPV footage, is shown in the video above. It’s a testament to Bell’s ingenuity, outpacing a drone made by Red Bull Racing, known for its F1 cars.

Bell’s design process evolved from his previous drone, Peregreen, which hit speeds of up to 400km/h. The drone’s structure resembles those favored by Red Bull and DDG, with a missile-like design and bottom-mounted propellers for vertical takeoff, swift racing, and vertical landing.

Peregreen 2’s success lies in its meticulous design and premium materials like carbon fiber. Custom frames were precision-cut using CNC machines in Cape Town. Despite initial setbacks, adjustments led to a sturdy frame capable of high-speed flight.

Aerodynamics played a crucial role in enhancing the drone’s performance, with extensive experimentation for stability at high speeds. Through refinement, a sleek design was achieved for optimal performance.

Expert guidance from FPV drone specialist Chris Raser improved stability and flight characteristics. The testing phase was rigorous, with the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon printer aiding in precise component production. Peregreen 2 reached 500 km/h, recognized by Guinness.

The project also focused on capturing cinematic footage, using an open canopy for clear shots and an Insta360 Go 3 camera. The drone flew 7.5 km at an average speed of 180 km/h, showcasing its versatility.