2026 High-Speed Foamboard RC Challenge

[Houndpup Rc]

Do to weather and work, pry won't get to fly her for a week or two. But still have the sharknado to build, and decide on which one to 3d print.

Nice!😁👍

 

[Houndpup Rc]

Nice!😁👍

*About the second half😂😂

 

[RickHunter]

*About the second half😂😂

Lol.

 

[Houndpup Rc]

We have our first entry from Rcgroups! I have edited the first post👍

 

[telnar1236]

We have our first entry from Rcgroups! I have edited the first post👍

Another 3D printed ABS plane!

 

[Houndpup Rc]

Another 3D printed ABS plane!

Yup! Quite a few 3D printed planes in this challenge compared to last year! (I'm thinking of doing one myself after I break the current foamboard record😉)

 

[MadMonkey]

I'm still waiting for my motors 😏

 

[Houndpup Rc]

I'm still waiting for my motors 😏

Which ones are they?

 

[MadMonkey]

Which ones are they?

Wouldn't you like to know Mr My Competition 💀

 

[Houndpup Rc]

Wouldn't you like to know Mr My Competition 💀

Fair enough😂😂👍

 

[MadMonkey]

Fair enough😂😂👍

🤣🤣 They're T-Motor Velox something or others... 2808 1900kv maybe? Been so long I can't even remember.

 

[Houndpup Rc]

🤣🤣 They're T-Motor Velox something or others... 2808 1900kv maybe? Been so long I can't even remember.

So about like what @RickHunter has...You guys all seem to have better motors than me!😆😆 (For now....)

 

[RickHunter]

So about like what @RickHunter has...You guys all seem to have better motors than me!😆😆 (For now....)

Mine are actually 2208, not 2808, so a bit smaller. But I do have some 2207 2750kv laying around. Those are only 4s rated, but they been sitting in my spare parts box forever, so I'm not afraid to risk burning them up if needed. Don't think I'm gonna use a FC so gotta figure out how to wire a 4in1 directly to a reciever. Shouldn't be too hard (knock on wood).

 

[Houndpup Rc]

Mine are actually 2208, not 2808, so a bit smaller. But I do have some 2207 2750kv laying around. Those are only 4s rated, but they been sitting in my spare parts box forever, so I'm not afraid to risk burning them up if needed. Don't think I'm gonna use a FC so gotta figure out how to wire a 4in1 directly to a reciever. Shouldn't be too hard (knock on wood).

Ah okay!🤦‍♂️😂👍

 

[Trevor Snow]

What’s up guys!

I’m hosting the High-Speed Foamboard Challenge again this year, and just like last year — it’s all about SPEED!

Last year we had some seriously fast builds, but no one broke the foamboard record even though we got very close at 162mph (Achieved by @Mr Man) so the question is:

Can anyone break 175 mph with foamboard?

Note: This challenge will also be hosted on RC Groups to bring in more builders and competition. I’ll be updating contestants and speeds back and forth between both threads so everything stays synced.👍

Here’s what you need to enter:

• A fast aircraft built primarily from foamboard or 3D printed parts. Jets, warbirds, pylon racers — as long as it’s DIY and FAST, it counts. Reinforcement like fiberglass skins, carbon fiber skins, tape, and carbon fiber spars/rods is allowed, but the airframe must remain primarily foamboard or 3D printed.
• Some way to track your speed. GPS, telemetry, radar gun — anything that gives a solid reading.
• A video. You’ve gotta get footage of your plane doing a high-speed pass.
• Nerves of steel. Seriously… things get wild at these speeds 😂

You can use whatever setup you want — 3S, 6S, inrunner, outrunner — go crazy!

And if you crash? No problem. Rebuild and try again. That’s part of the challenge!

You can make as many attempts as you want — what matters is pushing your build as fast as possible.

Prize​

1st Place — Flite Test Airframe Kit (Winner’s Choice, up to $45) (Sponsored by Flite Test)

A huge thank you to Flite Test for supporting this challenge!

Challenge Runs From:​

April 1st to July 10th

This runs over a few months since these builds take time to dial in and really push the limits.

Current Entries​

Flite Test Forum:
- @Mr Man - https://forum.flitetest.com/index.php?threads/2026-speed-challenge-mr-man-mr-speed.80399/
- @RickHunter - https://forum.flitetest.com/index.php?threads/2026-speed-challenge-rickhunter.80398/
- (Your Username) @LitterBug - https://forum.flitetest.com/index.php?threads/2026-speed-challenge-your-username.80397/
- @MadMonkey - https://forum.flitetest.com/index.php?threads/2026-speed-challenge-madmonkey.80400/
@Houndpup Rc - https://forum.flitetest.com/index.php?threads/2026-speed-challenge-houndpup-rc.80403/
@telnar1236 - https://forum.flitetest.com/index.php?threads/2026-speed-challenge-telnar1236.80405/
@RBTDKR - https://forum.flitetest.com/index.php?threads/2026-speed-challenge-rbtdkr.80408/

RC Groups:

- Burkeomatic - https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?4897325-Vesper-A-900mm-FPV-(O3)-Plank#post54830843
-
-

Leaderboard​

(Will be updated as entries come in)

1. — — mph — —
2. — — mph — —
3. — — mph — —

Rules​

• Aircraft must be primarily foamboard or 3D printed
• Full composite/carbon airframes are not allowed
• Any power system is allowed
• Speeds achieved by dives are allowed
• Flight controllers, stabilization, and waypoint/autonomous passes are allowed
• NO flying your plane inside another plane 😂

Proof Requirements​

To enter, you must provide:

• A video of the speed run (if you can, try to get clean footage—I may put together a recap video later. No biggie if not!)
• A visible speed reading (GPS, telemetry, radar gun, etc.) make sure to get the reading in your video!

How to Enter​

Start a build thread with your username like this:

2026 Speed Challenge - [Your Username]

When posting each entry, include:

• Aircraft name
• Motor / prop / battery setup
• Recorded top speed (if possible...things happen!😂)
• Video link
• If it crashed, include what happened (reason for crash), top speed achieved before it went down, and a video of the demise if you’ve got it 😉😂

Example Entries:

My first entry is: Foamboard Radjet (link to plane) Setup: 6S, 2200KV motor, 5x5 prop Top Speed: 138 mph Video: [link]

My second entry is: 3D Printed Pylon Racer (link to plane) Setup: 4S, 1800KV motor, 6x4 prop Top Speed: 121 mph (before crash) Crash: Lost control in dive — flutter Demise Video: [link]

My third entry is: Modified Foamboard Wing (link to plane) Setup: 6S, 2500KV motor, 4.5x4.5 prop Top Speed: [add later if achieved] Video: [link]

My current entry is: Foamboard Radjet (link to plane) Setup: 6S, 2200KV motor, 5x5 prop Top Speed: 138 mph Video: [link]

Tie Breaker​

If two aircraft reach the same speed:

1. Foamboard aircraft takes priority (harder material at these speeds)

Final Notes​

This is all about pushing DIY builds to the absolute limit.

Whether you hit 100 mph or go for the full 175+, everyone is welcome to jump in!

Can’t wait to see what crazy fast builds you guys come up with!

Join the challenge and start building!​

I'm a bit late to this, but I'm consider entering. Are rocket power systems allowed? I was going to do a project this summer with remote ignition and mixed propulsion and was wondering if I could also run with this. It will most likely be nowhere near a top speed, but would still be fun.

 

[Mr Man]

I'm a bit late to this, but I'm consider entering. Are rocket power systems allowed? I was going to do a project this summer with remote ignition and mixed propulsion and was wondering if I could also run with this. It will most likely be nowhere near a top speed, but would still be fun.

I think so, @Houndpup Rc ?

 

[telnar1236]

I'm a bit late to this, but I'm consider entering. Are rocket power systems allowed? I was going to do a project this summer with remote ignition and mixed propulsion and was wondering if I could also run with this. It will most likely be nowhere near a top speed, but would still be fun.

Last year they were specifically mentioned as allowed - that said be safe - rockets on rc planes are very sketchy and you don't want to burn anything down or hurt anyone

 

[Houndpup Rc]

I'm a bit late to this, but I'm consider entering. Are rocket power systems allowed? I was going to do a project this summer with remote ignition and mixed propulsion and was wondering if I could also run with this. It will most likely be nowhere near a top speed, but would still be fun.

Yep, as long as the airframe is constructed out of either 3D printed or foam board (Covered in nylon of CF is fine) you're fine! (And don't worry about being late!...None of us have had the time to get a good speed run in yet anyway!🤣)

 

[MadMonkey]

None of us have had the time to get a good speed run in yet anyway!🤣

Still waiting on motors... allegedly back in stock next week 🫩

 

[L Edge]

View attachment 257984
She's almost done. Just need to install ESC, Receiver, and control rods and horn. Little concerned she might be to heavy to launch from the Mothership (Monster Legacy). If so, looks like I might be climbing a ladder and throwing her off the roof. lol 😁

Got another suggestion for you. For launching, take a picnic table and fold one end and tilt the table up to an angle of 30 to 45 degrees. That way, 1/2 to roughly 3/4 of EDF thrust will help lift as it leaves the table.

Important thing to remember is as it leaves the table, the torque will rotate the plane. Since you don't have rudder, you need to counteract it with your elevons. By using the table method, it eliminates the time delay of throwing the plane to putting your hand on the elevon control. At fast speeds, it will mean a "save" from diaster.