Howard Hughes checking the instrument panel of the HK-1 Hughes Flying Boat (400,000 pound, 24,000 horsepower airplane) with his crew before the taxi tests, at Terminal Island in the Los Angeles Harbor.
Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Attending a banquet in honor of Howard Hughes were L to R: Mayor Frank Shaw of Los Angeles, Howard Hughes, Will Hays, and Gov. Frank Merriam."
Description given with photograph: "Fuselage of Hughes' Hercules Leaves Hangar, Culver City, Calif - Cautiously moving down the field on dollies after leaving the Culver City, Calif., plant hangar, the 200-foot hull-fuselage of Howard Hughes' Hercules is made ready for the 28-mile trip to Terminal Island, Calif., where the air giant will be assembled. NY 80 Credit Line (ACME) 6/16/46."