Trascribed from attached press release: " Howard Hughes (wearing hat) talks over details of tomorrow's initial taxi testing of his 24,000 horsepower flying boat, Nov. 1, 1947." Hughes is standing between Chal Bowen(?) (left) and Gale J. Moore (right).

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 the controls of Howard Hughes' Flying Boat in Long Beach, California. Howard Hughes is on the right.

A view of the controls of Howard Hughes' Flying Boat in Long Beach, California. Howard Hughes is on the right.

A view of a wing from Howard Hughes' Hercules being transported through California.

A view of Howard Hughes' Hercules traveling down a street in Culver City, California.

A view of Howard Hughes' Hercules traveling down a street in Culver City, California.