We report the fabrication of a novel type of hollow core photonic bandgap fiber (PBGF) with a small core formed by 3 omitted unit cells in a triangular array of holes. The transmission properties of fibers designed for operation at 1500nm wavelength are investigated both experimentally and through extensive modeling. The novel PBGF structure provides robust single mode guidance and is of particular interest for device applications which require low index bandgap guidance and short device lengths.