Howard Hughes (second from left) standing in front of the experimental helicopter XH-17, Flying Crane, with others (from left to right): Rea Hopper, Director of the Aeronautical Division, Hughes Aircraft Company; Hughes; Clyde Jones, Director of Engineering, Hughes Tool Company Aeronautical Division; Warren Reed, Assistant; Colonel Carl E. Jackson from Air Research and Development Headquarters, Baltimore; Gale J. Moore, Pilot; possibly Chal Bowen, Flight Engineer/Co-pilot, and an unidentified man, on October 23, 1952.
Description given with photo: "Hughes Off For California, Washington: Howard Hughes waves farewell to the large crowd on hand at Washington National Airport Aug. 12 to see him off following the adjournment of the Senate hearing on his plane contracts. Hughes left for California in his own plane. Credit Line (ACME) 8/12/47."