L-R: Rea Hopper, Director of the Aeronautical Division, Hughes Aircraft Company; Howard Hughes; Clyde Jones, Director of Engineering, Hughes Tool Company Aeronautical Division; Warren Reed, Assistant; Col. Carl E. Jackson, Air Research and Development Headquarters, Baltimore; Gale J. Moore, pilot; and unidentified pilot in front of the experimental helicopter XH-17 Flying Crane on October 23, 1952. This was one of Hughes' last public appearances.
Description given with photograph: "Howard Hughes in New York after making a high altitude flight from Los Angeles during which he tested a new two-ounce oxygen mask."
Description written on photograph's accompanying strip of paper: "Howard Hughes is shown checking his plane at Paris before leaving for Moscow on the second leg of his round the world flight 7-11-38"
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."