Halifax Mk. III, serial LW575 was the fourth built in a batch of 27, with assembly beginning on 1 January 1944. The new aircraft was delivered to No. 427 [Lion] Squadron on 4 January 44. On 4 May 1944, the Halifax was transferred to No. 420 [Snowy Owl] Squadron were she completed 27 operations. Nose Artist Floyd “Skip” Rutledge had painted her name and the art from Li’l Abner’s comic strip, with the character Pappy Yokum about to take off in his rocking chair with a 500 lb bomb.

Assigned to No. 1666 HCU on 9 November 44, the stay was short and next stop became No. 1664 HCU. The new crews were not kind to “Pappy” as she suffered two accidents, 20 January and 18 March 1945, the last sending the veteran aircraft for disposal. Struck off charge on 21 April, the Halifax arrived at Handley Page depot on 15 May 1945. Soon after this date,  the nose art was photographed by F/L Lindsay, recorded as roll 4, print #8.