#632 Wooden Wonders
Fun Fact #632
Wooden Wonders
In WW2 a radio system (The Joan-Ellanor System) was used by resistance cells to avoid detection by the Axis powers. It worked by an operator using broadcast equipment on the ground set to the VHF band with the transmitter pointing directly up. Overhead an airplane with a Wire-Recorder received the message. Since the transmitter was low-powered and aimed up it was incredibly hard to detect by anyone other than the intended recipient. Meanwhile the Airplanes used: “De Haviland Mosquitos” were very high flying allowing them to avoid most Anti-Air defenses unnoticed. Since it was direct most JES operators talked normally allowing the Mosquito Crew to quickly clarify communications or ask for more information in their limited time overhead. This method of communication did have the drawback of only operating at preplanned intervals. Nonetheless it proved highly effective and remained a government secret until 1976 with the Mosquitos being nicknamed “The Wooden Wonder”.
Today many spies and espionage agents still use a very similar method –just with satellites or drones instead of the Mosquitos of old. Interestingly some of the drones used for this purpose are constructed of mostly wood and canvas rather than plastic, since radar often over-penetrates these materials leading to a fuzzy, small image at best. Recently there has been some concern raised about these wooden drones however since South Korea tested these drones with mock grenades against the US in the 2025 Military exercises. Here it was revealed that The US Phalanx as well as the emerging HELIOS system used to defend Navy ships from threats (including drones), have trouble viewing and targeting these drones. Phalanx often mistakes them for birds unless set to be so sensitive it becomes dangerous taking minor “Radar Ghosts” as legitimate targets wasting ammunition. Meanwhile HELIOS often just ignores wooden drones altogether, leaving US Navy ships with a weakness they are seeking solutions to.
Image of a DH.98 Mosquito
