A view of Howard Hughes after being interviewed about his controversial XF-11 photo reconnaissance plane by Republican of Washington, Senator Harry Cain in Culver City, California.
A view of Howard Hughes after being interviewed about his controversial XF-11 photo reconnaissance plane by Republican of Washington, Senator Harry Cain in Culver City, California.
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."
Description given with photo: "Hughes Required To Submit Questions At Inquiry In Writing, Washington, D.C. --- The sub-committee investigating the Hughes War Time plane contracts, ruled today that a standing committee rule would be effective in requiring that questions must be put in writing, and presented to the committee thru counsel of the principals involved. here, Sen. Homer Ferguson, R., of Mich. Chairman of the subcommittee is shown receiving a written question from Howard Hughes the millionaire plane builder, to be put to one of the witnesses summoned to the inquiry at Hughes' request. INP Photo by G.B. Kress. 11/8/47." Also hand written on the back of the photo: "Howard Hughes and Sen. Claude Pepper 11/8/47."
Transcribed from press release attached to photo: "HUGHES READY FOR TAKE-OFF IN SECOND XF-11 FLIGHT. CULVER CITY, Calif., April 5 -- Howard Hughes, famed flier-industrialist, recovered from injuries following crash last July 7, is shown here just before he test-piloted today a duplicate of the plane in which he nearly lost his life. He designed and built the plane, designated XF-11, and one of the world's fastest photo-reconnaissance ships, for the Army Air Forces in conjunction with the Air Materiel Command engineers.