Transcribed from back of photo: "Howard Hughes (in cockpit) warms up the XF-11 for its initial test flight. It is one of the world's fastest long-range photographic planes, July 7, 1946."

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."

Howard Hughes on a ladder, climbing into the XF-11. A police officer is seen in the background.

Howard Hughes in the cockpit of the XF-11. Trucks and emergency vehicles are seen nearby.

A view of Howard Hughes, left, and other men who helped to pilot a Trans World Airline aircraft in New York.