Howard Hughes leaving his private hangar as he is wished "happy landings" and well wishes by friends before he boards his speedy Lockheed plane at Union Air Terminal in Burbank, California.
Description given with photo: "Flying Boat Takes Off - Pedro, Calif. : With all eight motors roaring, Howard Hughes' giant plywood flying boat skims across the surface of Los Angeles harbor at 95 miles per hour on November 2nd. Shortly afterward, Hughes lifted the plane into the air for an unscheduled half-mile flight. Credit Line (ACME) 11/04/47."