In August 1939, before the prototype had been completed, the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) ordered 38 examples of the Consolidated B-24A (the first production variant).

From this order, 20 aircraft (originally allocated serial numbers 40-2349 to 40-2368) were released for direct purchase by the RAF where it was given the service name Liberator B.Mk.I (from "Bomber Mark 1").

[1] After a period of testing at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) at RAF Boscombe Down, England, it was found to be unsuitable for combat over Europe.

[b] The long range and heavy bomb load however, made the Liberator a natural choice for RAF Coastal Command (CC) for use in long-range maritime patrols against the U-boat menace.

Twelve aircraft were sent to Scottish Aviation in Prestwick, Scotland for extensive conversion to meet the anti-submarine warfare role and they were redesignated Liberator GR.Mk.I – the 'GR' standing for 'General Reconnaissance'.

With the end of the war, the Liberators in Coastal Command were replaced by the arguably inferior[citation needed] maritime patrol variant of the Avro Lancaster, the GR Mk 3.

After a period of time at an Operational Training Unit AM913 was converted to Liberator GR.Mk.I standard and assigned to 120 Squadron.

In October 1941, it was returned to Scottish Aviation for transport modifications – passengers and mail only – no cargo door installed and redesignated Liberator C.Mk.I.

On 1 September 1941, it flew into Achinoan Hill near Campbeltown, Argyll,[5] Scotland, killing ten crew and passengers.

On 5 April 1942, during Operation Myrmidon, it was engaged in combat with three Junkers Ju 88s for over half an hour.

After the war it was Struck Off Charge in March 1947 AM918 (ex 40-2357) s/n 9 was converted to Liberator C.Mk.I and assigned to the RAF Ferry Command.