The serial number and markings of the No. 420 Squadron Halifax that carried this female snowy owl is not known. It is thought that it was painted by nose artist LAC J.A. "Jimmy" Smith who was an airframe mechanic. Smith was close friends with another No. 420 nose artist, Floyd Rutledge, who recalled that Smith came from Toronto, Ontario. Rutledge and Smith worked together on a number of Halifax nose art paintings. No. 420 was the RCAF's "Snowy Owl" squadron and this was undoubtedly the inspiration for this nose art. Later in the war, No. 420 started placing their snowy owl emblem on the tails of their Canadian-built Lancasters.