Retro Japanese Powerful flashlight - National BF-769 Bulb + fluorescent

[Kiriakos GR]

New find, old Japanese flashlight. 
Must be technology of 70s.
 
A flashlight with a miniature light bulb and a fluorescent light.
6V
Powered by four D cells.
Alternatively, the Japanese National  (Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.) and or as National + Panasonic, it suggests a special rechargeable pack instead.
(Rechargeable Panasonic battery packs (P-14ST) can also be used.) 
Ni-CD ?


National BF-769
Rainproof design
Shoulder carrying strap
National, Fluorescent 4W
National, Incandescent light bulb miniature (krypton bulb) 4.8V 0.5A + spare light bulb.
krypton bulb = long lives, accurate review of color over surfaces ( electric wires )   

Nice yellow bright body, very visible in a emergency
Power switch with three positions,  Bulb - OFF - fluorescent, covered by rubber hood.

I am going to explore all chances, for a conversion to rechargeable, but I will decide after testing it first.
For now, a few stock photographs from Japan they are listed below.   

[Kiriakos GR]

MB-48PF5K = National, Incandescent light bulb / Krypton.

[Kiriakos GR]

Here begins my quick review about National BF-769.

The flashlight its a fully working one.

BF-769 main lens + Incandescent light bulb,  this creates an very narrow beam of light.
At 2-3 meters, beam diameter = only 30 centimeters.
At 5 meters distance, beam diameter = only 60 centimeters

First conclusion, this is a flashlight designed to be a spot light or as long range, and possibly able to cover a perimeter of ten to fifteen meters, at total darkness.

Second conclusion,  Fluorescent 4W this is for use at near perimeter,  its well designed with 90 degrees as coverage.

Both light sources they do create a constant flow of 500mA at 6V DC (its one).

The bad news:  
BF-769  in order to work properly, it must use 4x D Cells.

The batteries are not only used as energy supply, the physical size of the batteries, this creates internally a pressure point, so all metal contacts for electricity distribution, these to make a good contact between them.

Rechargeable  D Cells, they are extremely expensive today.
Most reasonable choice this is the investment of 6€ with VAT,  for two packs of PANASONIC PRO POWER LR20 SIZE D.
https://www.e-shop.gr/mpataria-panasonic-pro-power-lr20-size-d-tem-2-p-ANA.PAN91029

National BF-769 this is originally designed for camping activities.
As spare light source for indoor use, its not that great, due it narrow primary beam.
But the fluorescent light, this will compensate in favor of general use.   
 
Approximate battery life 24H / 25C.