The XF-11 plane's second flight immediately following take-off, at the Hughes Airport in Culver City, California

Transcribed from press release attached to back of photo: "NEW PHOTO PLANE TEST-FLOWN CULVER CITY, California, July 7 -- Howard Hughes, who designed and built the new FX-11 reconnaissance plane in conjunction with Air Materiel Command engineers, sits in the pilot's bubble-glass canopy preparing for the first test flight. One of the world's fastest long-range photo planes, the XF-11 can attain a speed of more than 400 miles per hour, Army officials said. It is powered by two 3000-horsepower radial engines with eight-bladed contra-rotating propellers. 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.

A view of Howard Hughes (center) with California Governor Frank Merriam (left) and Los Angeles Mayor Frank L. Shaw in Los Angeles, California.

Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "As Howard Hughes Was Welcomed to Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Cal. -- Mayor Frank L. Shaw of Los Angeles, Howard Hughes, Will Hays, "Czar" of the movies, and Governor Frank Merriam of California (left to right) are pictured at the luncheon in the Biltmore Hotel which followed the wild ovation for Hughes and his four companions on his record-smashing world flight as they arrived in Los Angeles from their triumph from the East. Credit Line (ACME) 8/2/38"

An overhead view of a parade procession celebrating Howard Hughes' completion of his round-the-world flight.

An overhead view of a parade procession celebrating Howard Hughes' completion of his round-the-world flight.

An overhead view of a parade procession celebrating Howard Hughes' completion of his round-the-world flight.