Howard Hughes and Noah Dietrich (the chief Executive Officer of the Howard Hughes Corporation from 1925-1957), during a dinner in Houston honoring Hughes' world flight.
Description given with photo: "Hughes At Controls Of Sky Giant For Taxi Tests - Long Beach, Cal. : Howard Hughes, millionaire plane builder, flyer and movie maker, is shown at the controls of the world's largest flying boat prior to taking the 400,000-pound craft out for taxi tests on Los Angeles Harbor. The plane, which figured in the Senate investigation of Hughes' wartime activities last summer, is 219 feet long with a wingspan of 320 feet. It was launched today, but will not be air tested until next spring. Shortly after this photo was made it was announced that taxi tests had been postponed. 11/1/47."
From the Howard Cannon Photograph Collection (PH-00192). Handwritten on verso: "Senator Cannon; Paul Palmer, American Legion Post #51; Robert Weeks, Commander, American Legion Post #51, behind flag; J. Earl Cunningham, 1st Vice commander American Legion Post #51; Olie (?) Cluff, ready to raise the flag; Sam Neimyer, fastening flag to be raised"