An overhead view of the near-fatal crash of Howard Hughes' XF-11 in Culver City, California.

An overhead view of the near-fatal crash of Howard Hughes' XF-11 in Culver City, California.

Transcribed from back of photo: "Howard Hughes in the cockpit of the new XF-11 reconnaissance plane which he designed and built in conjuntion with Air Material Command engineers. He is preparing for its first flight. One of the world's fastest long-range photo planes, it can attain a speed of over 400 miles per hour."

Description given with photo: "Losing Money on Flying Boat, Says Hughes, Culver City, Calif.: Howard Hughes (center, facing camera) makes his first appearance before the press since the start of the senate investigation into his multi-million dollar plane contracts. Hughes said the government is getting its $18,000,000 worth out of his big, eight-engined flying boat but he's losing money. the plane has yet to be flown. Credit (ACME). 7-30-47."

Description given with photo: "After Non-Stop Coast to Coast Flight -- Pilot Howard Hughes (left) millionaire flier and movie producer, co-pilot Joseph Bartles, and navigator Robert Stevens, relax at the controls of their Lock-heed Constellation after landing at LaGuardia Field in new York City, Feb. 15 on Pre-Inaugural non-stop coast to coast flight from Burbank, Calif. the Constellation, named "Start of California" and carrying 34 passengers, including movie stars and a crew of seven, landed at LaGuardia Field eight hours and 38 minutes after leaving Burbank. 22/15/46."

A view of crowds waiting to see Howard Hughes arrive at Floyd Bennett Field in New York. Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Flight's End - Floyd Bennett Field, N.Y. -- Propellers still whirling, the plane which carried Howard Hughes and four companions on their dramatic Round-The-World flight, taxis to a stop, on a runway there, flanked by an escort of motorcycle policemen. Part of the crowd of 30,000 which was on hand to greet the fliers, may be seen. Credit Line (ACME) 7/14/38."