View of construction of one of the wings of the Hughes Flying Boat in a hangar at the Hughes Aircraft Company, June 1, 1945. Scaffolding is seen underneath the wing.
The black and white view of a crowd of people awaiting the arrival of Howard Hughes at Floyd Bennett Airport in New York. Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Just before world fliers landed, Floyd Bennett Airport, N.Y. -- A small army of policemen pictured on the runway here shortly before Howard Hughes and his four companions landed, ending their Round-The-World flight. Note newsreel photographers on the right. In the background is the tent from which Hughes and his fellow fliers spoke to a vast radio audience. Credit line (ACME) 7(3/4)/14/38."
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."
L-R: Rea Hopper, Director of the Aeronautical Division, Hughes Aircraft Company; Howard Hughes; Clyde Jones, Director of Engineering, Hughes Tool Company Aeronautical Division; Warren Reed, Assistant; Col. Carl E. Jackson, Air Research and Development Headquarters, Baltimore; Gale J. Moore, pilot; and unidentified pilot in front of the experimental helicopter XH-17 Flying Crane on October 23, 1952. This was one of Hughes' last public appearances.