Left and middle panel (common vertical timescale): Hδ and Hα in R71 from 1984 to 2017. The Hα P Cyg profile changed to an inverse double-peaked symmetric profile during the outburst. Until 2007, the star is hot and increased line emission implies an increased amount of circumstellar material. An absorption component close to system velocity dominates the profile during the outburst phase and several absorption components trace the line-of-sight structure. An example of a low-excitation emission Fe i line is shown. Right panel: He ii 4686 and He i 4713 in R71 from 1984 to 2007. No He ii emission is present. The continuum is normalized to unity, velocities are in the R71 rest frame.