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: "Float Hughes Flying Boat, San Pedro, Calif.: Water pours into Howard Hughes' mammoth drydock as the millionaire plane builder prepares to float his giant plywood flying boat on November 1st. The nose of the 200-ton craft can be seen at right. In upper right are three of the four right wind engines. Credit Line (ACME) 11/04/47."