A view of Howard Hughes' Hercules preparing for taxi tests in Long Beach, California.

A view of Howard Hughes' Hercules preparing for taxi tests in Long Beach, California.

The view of a crowd of people watch Howard Hughes walk through Floyd Bennett Airfield in New York. Description printed on photograph's accompanying sheet of paper: "A scene at Floyd Bennett Field as Howard Hughes and his crew landed after completing a round the world hop. 7-14-38 (Press Association)."

Howard Hughes (center) studying diagrams for the Flying Boat with two unidentified men.

Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "New York hails heroes of World Flight, New York City --- In the greatest reception since Lindbergh's, Howard Hughes and his gallant companions paraded up Broadway today, almost smothered beneath New York's ticker-tape accolade recognizing their record-smashing world dash. Here's Hughes, (center back, seat), gazing up the tons of torn paper fluttering down on him and his comrades, following in the car behind. Beside Hughes on the left is Grover Whalen, head of the New York World's Fair, 1939. Credit Line (ACME) 7/15/38."

Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Hughes and Flyers Welcomed to Chicago - A view of the parade staged in honor of Howard Hughes and his four companions passing down La Salle Street, Chicago, in a shower of ticker-tape and paper. The flyers, who circled the globe in 3 days and 19 hours, are in the first three autos. Credit Lines (ACME) 7/30/38 (NY)."

Aerial view of the Hughes Aircraft Culver City plant, 1960's.