A view of Howard Hughes (left), California Governor Frank Merriam (center, front), and Will Hays (center, back) at a banquet held for Howard Hughes in the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California.
Howard Hughes exiting the Lockheed 14. Typed on a piece of paper attached to the image: "Howard Hughes, millionaire sportsman, leaving cabin of plane (Lockheed 14) at Wichita airport, after trip from coast to N.Y., where he's reported taking off for Europe. Credit Line (ACME)."
Description given with photo: "Hughes At Controls Of Sky Giant For Taxi Tests - Long Beach, Cal. : Howard Hughes, millionaire plane builder, flyer and movie maker, is shown at the controls of the world's largest flying boat prior to taking the 400,000-pound craft out for taxi tests on Los Angeles Harbor. The plane, which figured in the Senate investigation of Hughes' wartime activities last summer, is 219 feet long with a wingspan of 320 feet. It was launched today, but will not be air tested until next spring. Shortly after this photo was made it was announced that taxi tests had been postponed. 11/1/47."
A view of Howard Hughes after being interviewed about his controversial XF-11 photo reconnaissance plane by Republican of Washington, Senator Harry Cain in Culver City, California. Here Hughes' mustache has been digitally removed from the photo.
Howard Hughes (in white shirt) supervises construction of the Hughes D-2 at the Hughes Aircraft Company. in Culver City, California. The D-2 was the prototype of the XF-11.