Date stamped on back of photo: April 3, 1947. Transcribed from attached press release: "HUGHES FLIES DUPLICATE OF CRASH PLANE CULVER CITY, Calif., April 5 -- Howard Hughes, famed flier-industrialist, today test-piloted the plane pictured here, a duplicate of the XF-11 photo-reconnaissance ship which he nearly lost his life in an accident last July 7. He designed and built the plane for the Army Air forces in conjunction with the Air Materiel Command engineers. He has recovered from the injuries sustained last year when the freak propeller trouble dashed the original XF-11 to earth. As usual, he today took personal responsibility for the first test flight of the new plane." The actual flying date is April 4, 1947.

Howard Hughes (left, in dark coat) noted designer, builder, and industrialist entering the hull of the Hughes Flying Boat, the largest airplane in the world, as it was nearing completion on Terminal Island in the Los Angeles Harbor. With him is Joe Petralli, assistant director of service and flight.

Howard Hughes landing in the Lockheed 14 in New York. Typed on a piece of paper attached to the image: "Howard Hughes lands in New York in flight from coast New York City-- the huge Lockheed "Flying Laboratory" of Howard Hughes, oil millionaire and air speed racer, being taxied to its hangar at Floyd Bennet field here, July 4th, shortly after landing on its leisurely trip from the Pacific Coast. Hughes and his crew will take off in it next week on a flight to Paris which may be followed by a flight around the world."