Howard Hughes sits at the controls of his 400,000 pound Flying Boat just a day prior to its first tests in the Los Angeles Harbor in California. The aircraft was 219 feet long with a wing span of 320 feet.
Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "As Los Angeles Welcomed Howard Hughes Home, Los Angeles, Cal. --- Governor Frank Merriam, Howard Hughes, and Mayor Frank L. Shaw (left to right) as they rode through the crowd-packed streets of Los Angeles during the reception -- one of the greatest and wildest the city had ever seen -- as Hughes and his four daring companions on his World-Flight arrived in the city. Credit Line (ACME). 8/2/38."
Description given with photo: "Hughes Has Session With Senate Committee, Washington, D.C. -- Howard Hughes, right, who met with members of the Senate War Investigating Committee Feb. 11, is shown after the secret session with senators Carl A. hatch (D. - N.M.), Owen Brewster (R. - ME.), and William F. Knowland (R. Calif.), left to right. Committee chairman Brewster told reporters Hughes discovered certain war contracts of his were under investigation and "asked to appear to discuss them informally with the committee." Credit Line (ACME) 2/11/47."