Consolidated Aircraft had designed and built the four-engined B-24 Liberator as a heavy bomber, in which rôle 311 Squadron had flown them under RAF Coastal Command since June 1943.
Consolidated Aircraft had designed and built the four-engined B-24 Liberator as a long-range maritime patrol aircraft and heavy bomber. The GR.VI was a maritime patrol version that 311 Squadron had flown under RAF Coastal Command since June 1943.