Introducing the Armattan Tadpole 3" Frame. Featuring a light and strong frame with a top-mounted lipo.
A Message From Chris from Armattan
We've been asked many times to design something smaller for 3-inch props. I have been reluctant for two reasons.
The first reason is that there were not many options for small motors and even props for quite some time. By now the popularity of such weight class has brought about many more options in terms of motors, but also good options for 16 x 16 stacks that can run such small models well.
The second reason is that I am not a fan of minimalistic frames with a POD style 3D printed or plastic canopies. And I am not a fan of bottom-mounted lipo for frames made for freestyle and fun flying. Seems most freestyle frames today do not bottom mount the lipo. The word is that a top-mounted lipo offers better flying characteristics. This is all debatable, but I certainly prefer a top-mounted lipo.
I did not think we could make right on weight because having a top-mounted lipo means more carbon parts and more hardware adding up to too much weight. So I procrastinated.
I eventually pulled out my pencils and my stencils and decided to draw something up. My goal was to make something light, strong, and it had to have a top-mounted lipo. For example, looking at some 5-inch models that have a top-mounted lipo, it seemed obvious that the rear end of the model needed not to have the same stack height and needed not to be so wide... These two things alone allowed for shedding enough weight that we stood a chance to make weight.
Features
3-inch props
Top-mounted lipo as it makes more sense for a small fun flyer/ freestyle frame.
Custom aluminum front cage fully protecting a nano cam
Custom shorter rear aluminum posts
New rubber molded VTX antenna mount that is modular with the custom aluminum rear posts. No bolts needed.
Slightly slanted aerodynamic top lipo plate. (This is the result of shedding weight from the rear end.)
Dry frame weight (fully assembled): 19.5 grams.
Specifications
Frame Weight: 19.5 grams
Motor to Motor: 131.25mm
Frame Shape: Compressed X
Main Plate Thickness: 2mm
Hardware: M2
Motor Mount Pattern: 9mm
FC Stack Mount: 16x16 or optional whoop AIO bracket
FPV Camera Mount: Nano (14mm)
FPV Antenna Mounts: Customer rubber holder (1.8mm)
Max Stack Height: 16mm
Warrantied Parts: Bumper to bumper
Includes
1 x Armattan Tadpole 3" Micro Frame