Patrol rather than reconnaissance

The Walrus was meant to fill a persistent patrol gap. The United States could build a patrol system around large flying boats such as the Catalina, but British long-range maritime patrol aircraft belonged to Coastal Command and could not simply accompany every naval deployment. Carriers would also concentrate in the most important theaters while cruisers and other ships still had enormous trade routes and distant stations to cover. A shipborne amphibian therefore gave individual warships an organic way to inspect the surrounding sea. The aircraft's value came from repeated presence over wide areas rather than speed or a dramatic attack mission.