Howard Hughes sits in the cockpit of the XF-11, a reconnaissance plane that Hughes built and designed in conjunction with Air Materiel Command engineers. Hughes is preparing for his first test flight in Culver City, California July 7, 1947.
Description given with photo: "Non-Stop Los Angeles - New York Flight Inaugurated New York -- Howard Hughes, pilot, and Joseph Bartles (right), relief pilot, at the controls of the TWA Constellation which inaugurated non-stop Los Angeles - New York flights when the ship landed at LaGuardia Airport Feb. 15. Hughes, famous flier and TWA executive, was at the controls during the flight made in 8 hours, 38 minutes. Many Hollywood luminaries made the first flight. Credit (ACME). 2-15-46."
Howard Hughes (standing) , talking with William Powell, Veronica Lake, and Andr? Toth (seated) and Johnny Meier, Hughes Public Relations head, behind, at the 21 Club in New York City.
Typed onto a piece of paper given with the image: "Hughes' Plane Over Los Angeles, Cal. -- The world-girdling plane of Howard Hughes pictured from an American Airlines plane as it flew over Los Angeles as Hughes and four companions on the record-breaking flight arrive at Los Angeles for the ovation accorded them by proud Southern Californians. The Los Angeles City Hall is in the background. Credit Line (ACME) 8/2/38 NY