Hi Gregory,
The coils are 'hold-down' screws, which are on a spool, and when
the aircraft is parked, they are screwed into the earth, sand, etc.
These was used extensively in the desert, due to winds, and
sandstorms and suchlike. They use them on modern aircraft
kept outside on grass fields, etc. The flares were operated by a
wire coming from the cockpit, and the charge just set off the
flare. I think only one was used at a time.
