[Nicklyons2]

I'm particularly fond of the earlier (pimply rubber & large buttons) 3 cell Ever Ready rubber torches and have a fairly early one (with metal reflector) and a later version which has a moulded plastic lens and reflector assembly which looks a bit like a round CRT. These were superceded (early 1970s, I think) by the smooth rubber case with smaller buttons. I remember the early version was available in a brick red rubber - haven't seen one for years.
The small torches sold cheaply by "woolies" in my childhood which take No.8s also have a sentimental attraction.

For those who don't know, both the 1289 4.5v batteries are still available now called MN1203 or 3R12.
The No.8, though not common in the UK is still popular on the continent as:
2R10, GP210s, 'DUPLEX', pile BIJOU, and I think Siemens T8