Howard Hughes (second from left) standing in front of the experimental helicopter XH-17, Flying Crane in October 1952. From left to right: 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; Colonel Carl E. Jackson, Air Research and Development Headquarters, Baltimore; Gale J. Moore, Pilot; and Chal Bowen, Flight Engineer/Co-pilot.
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.
Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Hughes and Flyers Welcomed to Chicago - A view of the parade staged in honor of Howard Hughes and his four companions passing down La Salle Street, Chicago, in a shower of ticker-tape and paper. The flyers, who circled the globe in 3 days and 19 hours, are in the first three autos. Credit Lines (ACME) 7/30/38 (NY)."