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H494 is based on Hebei Star, but photographs show small variations across the fleet. Hebei Arrow has a broader, lighter-blue band and smaller letters. Hebei Explorer has a dark-blue band with letters almost touching its upper and lower edges; the funnel’s shade is unclear in the digitally enlarged photograph. Hebei Prince has a light-blue band on a light-buff funnel.

On Hebei Progress the band’s upper edge rises towards the front, levels across it and presumably slopes down on the starboard side. Hebei Rainbow has a narrow black top and a sloping funnel top, with the band’s upper edge at the same angle. Hebei Pearl, seen at Newcastle, Australia, in December 2007, has a narrow light-blue funnel top as well as a light-blue band.

H495, based on a photograph of Hebei Lion in October 2004, appears to be an alternative or early version.