Howard Hughes at the controls of the Flying Boat, November 1, 1947, prior to its first taxi tests in the Los Angeles Harbor.

Howard Hughes waving to crowds in a parade in Houston, Texas in 1938.

A view of (from left to right) Los Angeles Mayor Frank L. Shaw, Howard Hughes, Will Hays, and California Governor Frank Merriam posing together for pictures at a banquet held for Howard Hughes in the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

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

Lily Pons (left) and Howard Hughes (right). Text printed on an attached strip of paper: "Noted flier and his hostess at cocktail party Los Angeles, Cal. -- Howard Hughes, noted flier, with Lily Pons, singing star, as he attended the cocktail party given by Miss Pons at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Credit Line (ACME) 11/8/38 NY LOND PAR."

A view of Howard Hughes and others inspecting the construction of the Spruce Goose in San Pedro, California. From left to right, the men include: Wressey C. Cocue, Homer (Dave) Roe, Dave Graig, Dave Kuans, Glenn Odeuiru, Howard Hughes, Jack Jerman, Rea Hopper, Carl Baggerger, Bill Benny, Warren Reed, and Joseph Petrali.

A view of Howard Hughes (wearing headphones, left) inside and at the controls of the Spruce Goose in San Pedro, California.