Howard Hughes alighting from a Stinson Reliant SR-9 aircraft.

Transcribed from press release attached to back of photo: "NEW PHOTO PLANE TEST-FLOWN CULVER CITY, California, July 7 -- Howard Hughes, who designed and built the new FX-11 reconnaissance plane in conjunction with Air Materiel Command engineers, sits in the pilot's bubble-glass canopy preparing for the first test flight. One of the world's fastest long-range photo planes, the XF-11 can attain a speed of more than 400 miles per hour, Army officials said. It is powered by two 3000-horsepower radial engines with eight-bladed contra-rotating propellers. Outstanding features include a full-span flap, unique eight-camera layout, and exceptionally fast take-off." Transcribed from photo sleeve: "Howard Hughes sits in the cockpit of the XF-11, a reconnaissance plane that Hughes built and designed in conjunction with Air Materiel Command engineers. Hughes is preparing for his first test flight in Culver City, California July 7, 1947.

The black and white view of Howard Hughes exiting his Lockheed 14 aircraft after performing the final landing on the Round the World flight at Floyd Bennett Airport, New York. Description printed on photograph's accompanying sheet of paper: "Telling the world about the record-smashing flight. New York City--Under the giant wing of the huge Lockheed plane, radio men set up their microphones so that Howard Hughes and his gallant crew of four can send a few words of greeting to the world over the air waves after landing at Floyd Bennett Field on their record-smashing flight around the world. Credit Line (ACME) 7/14/38"

A view of crowds and the press watching Howard Hughes and his crew land the Lockheed 14 aircraft in Chicago.

Howard Hughes sitting at a dining table.

From the Nita Londo Rieger Photograph Collection (PH-00315).