What are those dampened red and white poles? Specifically what are they called and how do they work? From what I understand they have something to do with figuring out distance.

Something like 'we know that each stripe is X size,and from our current distance they're X big so that's a distance of ...' Correct, right?

Looking forward to any answers (not that they'll really matter as of right now seeing as my Ark Bison II doesn't have them). But at least I'll know.

They are aiming posts for indirect fire. How they work exactly...I can't help you there. I'm assuming they provide aiming reference points for target areas out of sight.

Here is a good explanation of how they work:

http://www.wwpd.net/2012/05/what-are-those-red-and-white-poles-for.html

Cheers.
Joe

Does anybody make decals for these stakes in 1/35 scale. I find it a royal pain to paint them .

Archer Transfers Aiming Posts

Thank you sir . I would never have thought of looking for them at archer . Off to the hobby shop I go .