Description given with photo: "Before Hughes Took Off For New York, Los Angeles, Calif. - Multi-millionaire movie producer and aviator Howard Hughes is shown in front of this B-23 converted bomber before taking off for New York Sept. 10th. Hughes, piloting the plane, landed at Kansas City to rest before continuing with the flight. He is the seal of approval on a film he made. Creditline (ACME) 9/11/46."
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."
A view of Howard Hughes (right) being asked about his controversial XF-11 photo reconnaissance plane by Senator Harry Cain (left), Republican of Washington, in Culver City, California. An unidentified man sits between the two.