The last of Consolidated's wartime flying boats, the Model 31 was flown in May 1939; an attractive design, this boat had a Davis Wing and twin tail, as on the company's B-24. Foreseeing that there would be little market for a commercial version in a world that was rapidly spiraling into a global conflict, Consolidated offered a military version as the XP4Y-1 long range patrol type, capable of hauling two tons of ordnance externally, with a 37mm cannon in the nose and .50-cal weapons in the tail and dorsal positions. An order for 220 aircraft was placed but later cancelled as the B-29 program had priority for the supply of the R-3350 Cyclone engines that both aircraft used.
