Date stamped on back of photo: April 3, 1947. Transcribed from attached press release: "HUGHES FLIES DUPLICATE OF CRASH PLANE CULVER CITY, Calif., April 5 -- Howard Hughes, famed flier-industrialist, today test-piloted the plane pictured here, a duplicate of the XF-11 photo-reconnaissance ship which he nearly lost his life in an accident last July 7. He designed and built the plane for the Army Air forces in conjunction with the Air Materiel Command engineers. He has recovered from the injuries sustained last year when the freak propeller trouble dashed the original XF-11 to earth. As usual, he today took personal responsibility for the first test flight of the new plane." The actual flying date is April 4, 1947.

Howard Hughes (left, in dark coat) noted designer, builder, and industrialist entering the hull of the Hughes Flying Boat, the largest airplane in the world, as it was nearing completion on Terminal Island in the Los Angeles Harbor. With him is Joe Petralli, assistant director of service and flight.

Description given with photo: "Says Brewster Is "Greatest Trick Shot Artist In D.C. - Washington, D.C., Partially deaf, plane-builder Howard Hughes, above shown using a special hearing aid provided by the Senate War Investigating Committee now probing his war aircraft contracts. Hughes today fired a new volley of accusations at Chairman Brewster, ( R ) of Maine, calling toe Maine Senator the "greatest trick shot artist in Washington." The verbal volley was directed at Brewster's blanket denial that he offered to quash investigation of Hughes' war plane contracts if Hughes would merge his Trans-World Airlines with Pan-American Airways. -INP photo by N.K. Benson. 8/7/47."