Description printed on photograph's accompanying sheet of paper: "Howard Hughes after his round the world flight shaking hands with Secretary of State Cordell Hell as R. Walton Moore Counselor of the Department of State looks on. July 1938."

A view of Howard Hughes talking to an unidentified man as Hughes prepares to fly the Air Force test plane.

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.

Howard Hughes and other unidentified men surrounded by crowds.

A view of the construction of Howard Hughes' Hercules.

A view of the construction of Howard Hughes' Hercules.

Howard Hughes (left) and Albert Lodwick (right). Text printed on an accompanying strip of paper: "After Hughes' record breaking flight. Howard Hughes, sportsman pilot who flew from Los Angeles to Newark Airport, New Jersey, January 19, in 7 hours, 28 minutes, 27 seconds, knocking over 2 hours from his previous record, is shown at left as he discussed the flight with A. L. Lodwick at the latter's home in New York, January 19th. Credit Line (ACME) 1/19/37 NY LA."