A view of (from left to right) Los Angeles Mayor Frank L. Shaw, Howard Hughes, Will Hays, and California Governor Frank Merriam posing together for pictures at a banquet held for Howard Hughes in the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

Description given with photo: "Hughes At Controls Of Sky Giant For Taxi Tests - Long Beach, Cal. : Howard Hughes, millionaire plane builder, flyer and movie maker, is shown at the controls of the world's largest flying boat prior to taking the 400,000-pound craft out for taxi tests on Los Angeles Harbor. The plane, which figured in the Senate investigation of Hughes' wartime activities last summer, is 219 feet long with a wingspan of 320 feet. It was launched today, but will not be air tested until next spring. Shortly after this photo was made it was announced that taxi tests had been postponed. 11/1/47."