Description printed on photograph's accompanying sheet of paper: "Howard Hughes' wide grin diffuses the lanky Texan's features during a lighter phase of the day's ceremonies. Credit Line (ACME) 7/15/38."
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."