Transcribed from press release attached to back of photo: "NEW PHOTO PLANE TEST-FLOWN CULVER CITY, California, July 7 -- Howard Hughes, who designed and built the new FX-11 reconnaissance plane in conjunction with Air Materiel Command engineers, sits in the pilot's bubble-glass canopy preparing for the first test flight. One of the world's fastest long-range photo planes, the XF-11 can attain a speed of more than 400 miles per hour, Army officials said. It is powered by two 3000-horsepower radial engines with eight-bladed contra-rotating propellers. Outstanding features include a full-span flap, unique eight-camera layout, and exceptionally fast take-off." Transcribed from photo sleeve: "Howard Hughes sits in the cockpit of the XF-11, a reconnaissance plane that Hughes built and designed in conjunction with Air Materiel Command engineers. Hughes is preparing for his first test flight in Culver City, California July 7, 1947.
Howard Hughes (second from the right) standing with other unidentified men near his plane in the hangar at the Grand Central Air Terminal in Los Angeles.
Description given with photo: "Howard Hughes In Washington, Washington: In good humor and wearing his battered "good luck" felt hat that he wore in his recent plane crash, plane manufacturer, Howard Hughes leaves national airport following his overnight flight from the west coast to appear before the Senate War Investigating Sub-committee today (Aug. 6). Credit (ACME)."