A side view of the HK-1, Hughes Flying Boat, the world's largest plane, which successfully completed its first flight. The eight 3,000 horsepower engine lifted the craft from the waters of Los Angeles Harbor with Hughes at the controls.

From the Howard Cannon Photograph Collection (PH-00192). Left to right are R. W. Notti (Assistant City Manager), A. H. Kennedy (City Manager), Cannon, Shirley Ballinger (City Clerk), Mayor C. D. Baker, Commissioner E. W. Fountain, Commissioner Reed Whipple, Commissioner Harris P. Sharp, and Commissioner Wendell Bunker.

Transcribed from press release attached to back of photo: "NEW-DESIGN PHOTO PLANE COMPLETED CULVER CITY, Calif., July 7 -- test-flown today for the first time, the new XF-11 was revealed as one of the world's fastest long-range photographic planes. It was designed and built by Howard Hughes in conjunction with the Air Materiel command engineers. Army officials said that it can attain a speed of more than 400 miles per hour and a ceiling of more than 40,000 feet. The plane has a pressurized cabin making it unnecessary for the crew to use oxygen masks. Outstanding features include a full-span flap, unique eight-camera layout and exceptionally fast take-off." Transcribed from photo sleeve: "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 grayscale view from a park in Boulder City, Nevada. Residential homes and automobiles can be seen clustered together to form the city.