A view of Howard Hughes' Flying Boat being prepared for a test run in Long Beach, California.

A view of Howard Hughes' Flying Boat being prepared for a test run in Long Beach, California.

Description given with photo: "Howard Hughes Is Asked About His XF-11 By Senator! Culver City, Calif. - Millionaire plane builder Howard Hughes, left, is asked about his controversial XF-11 photo reconnaissance plane, background, by Senator Harry Cain, right, Republican of Washington. Cain is member of the Senate War Investigating Committee, and inspected Hughes craft after the plane builder had test flown the ship. An earlier model of same design nearly cost Hughes his life when it crashed in Beverly Hill last winter. Note wind-blown hair on both Pilot Hughes and observer Cain. Photo by Felix Pagel. 8/16/47."

Description printed on photograph's accompanying sheet of paper: "Hughes waves to cheering million. New York City--- Clean-shaven once more, Howard Hughes smiles his gratitude to the millions of New Yorkers who showered him with ticker-tape and torn paper--New York's own accolade, as paraded up Broadway, followed by his companions in the carbehind in the greatest reception since Lindbergh's. On the left is Grover Whalen, head of the New York World's Fair, 1939, and on the right, Al Lodwick, manager of the round-the-world record smashing flight. Credit Line (ACME) 7/15/38."

A view of Los Angeles Mayor Frank L. Shaw, Howard Hughes, and California Governor Frank Merriam (left to right) dining together at a banquet for Howard Hughes in Los Angeles, California.

Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Police lined up ready for the start of Howard Hughes parade. 7/15/38."

A view of Howard Hughes' Flying Boat being prepared for a test run in San Pedro, California.