The black and white, overhead view of Howard Hughes and his crew after completing his Around the World flight at Floyd Bennett Airport, New York. Description printed on photograph's accompanying sheet of paper: "On hand to welcome Hughes and his gallant crew New York City-- Looking down on a segment of the huge crowd that gathered at Floyd Bennett Field, July 14th, to greet the arrival of Howard Hughes and his picked crew of four at the end of their record-smashing flight around the world. The tops of the cars jamming the parking spaces were used as coigns of vantage. Credit Line (ACME) 7/14/38 (SS)"

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."

From the Sister Klaryta Antoszewska Photograph Collection (PH-00352). 

From the Sister Klaryta Antoszewska Photograph Collection (PH-00352). 

From the Sister Klaryta Antoszewska Photograph Collection (PH-00352).