5" FPV Drone
What started as an experiment testing 3D-printed drone frames quickly grew into a fully fledged 5-inch FPV drone.
I started this project with an entry-level F4 FC/ESC stack from
AliExpress and a 3D-printed PLA frame. Carbon-fiber PLA prints, an
ELRS radio and UART receiver, a Walksnail Avatar HD video system, and
ultimately a used 5" carbon frame with 1800KV motors and 6S batteries
were all added to the build over the course of several months.
Completed 04.2025
Category Hardware
Type Personal Project
Specs Evolution
The drone went through three major iterations. The table on the right shows how the build evolved from a 3D-printed prototype
to a powerful 5" FPV drone.
| Power System | Frame | Flight Controller | ESC | Motors | Radio | Video | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3s | PLA | F4 V3s Plus | 45A No-Name | JMT Mini 3100KV | PPM | None | None |
| 3s | Carbon Fiber PLA | F4 V3s Plus | 45A No-Name | JMT Mini 3100KV | CRSF/ELRS | None | None |
| 6s | 5-inch Carbon Fiber | SpeedyBee F405 V4 | 55A SpeedyBee | XING 1800KV | CSRF/ELRS | Walksnail Avatar HD Pro | Buzzer, Strobe- and LED-lights |