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.

The black and white view of Howard Hughes alighting from his plane at Newark Airport after establishing a new transcontinental record.

A view of Howard Hughes, surrounded by crowds, after arriving in New York.

Howard Hughes landing in the Lockheed 14 in New York. Typed on a piece of paper attached to the image: "Howard Hughes lands in New York in flight from coast New York City-- the huge Lockheed "Flying Laboratory" of Howard Hughes, oil millionaire and air speed racer, being taxied to its hangar at Floyd Bennet field here, July 4th, shortly after landing on its leisurely trip from the Pacific Coast. Hughes and his crew will take off in it next week on a flight to Paris which may be followed by a flight around the world."