Howard Hughes leaving his private hangar as he is wished "happy landings" and well wishes by friends before he boards his speedy Lockheed plane at Union Air Terminal in Burbank, California.
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: "Hughes Arrives In New York: La Guardia Field, New York, N.Y. -- Completing his first air journey since his near-fatal test-flight accident July 7, Howard Hughes, airplane designer, pilot and movie producer, is interviewed by reporters after piloting his converted B-23 transport to a midnight landing here tonight at La Guardia Field. Hughes interrupted his convalescence to fly here from Culver City, Calif., with a stop-over in Kansas City. In New York, Hughes planned to cover with his attorneys regarding steps to protect his property rights in connection with the motion picture, "The Outlaw", which recently had its seal of approval revoked by the Motion Picture Association."
The black and white view of a crowd of people awaiting the arrival of Howard Hughes at Floyd Bennett Airport in New York. Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Just before world fliers landed, Floyd Bennett Airport, N.Y. -- A small army of policemen pictured on the runway here shortly before Howard Hughes and his four companions landed, ending their Round-The-World flight. Note newsreel photographers on the right. In the background is the tent from which Hughes and his fellow fliers spoke to a vast radio audience. Credit line (ACME) 7(3/4)/14/38."