Transcribed from back of photo: "Howard Hughes in the cockpit of the new XF-11 reconnaissance plane which he designed and built in conjuntion with Air Material Command engineers. He is preparing for its first flight. One of the world's fastest long-range photo planes, it can attain a speed of over 400 miles per hour."
Description printed on photograph's accompanying sheet of paper: "Hughes thanks State Department for Co-operation. Washington, D. C. -- Howard Hughes (left), with Jesse Hones (right), Chairman of the RFC, leaving the State Department here, July 21, after Hughes personally thanked Secretary of State Cordell hull for the cooperation of the State Department in clearing Hughes departure in the round-the-world record flight. Credit Line (ACEM) 7/21/38."
A view of crowds waiting to see Howard Hughes arrive at Floyd Bennett Field in New York. Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Flight's End - Floyd Bennett Field, N.Y. -- Propellers still whirling, the plane which carried Howard Hughes and four companions on their dramatic Round-The-World flight, taxis to a stop, on a runway there, flanked by an escort of motorcycle policemen. Part of the crowd of 30,000 which was on hand to greet the fliers, may be seen. Credit Line (ACME) 7/14/38."
Transcribed from back of photo: "Howard Hughes (in cockpit) warms up the XF-11 for its initial test flight. It is one of the world's fastest long-range photographic planes, July 7, 1946."