The Hughes HK-1 Flying Boat during its test run in the Los Angeles Harbor.

Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Howard Hughes at the microphone, during his brief address at Official Municipal welcoming ceremonies in the Council Chamber at City Hall. In his speech, Hughes disclaimed credit for the flight and heaped praise on the "men who designed and perfected to its present remarkable state of efficiency, the modern American flying machine and equipment." New York, New York."

Howard R. Hughes, Sr., standing outdoors by a trench mining drill, which is underneath a tent-like canopy. Part of the Sharps-Hughes Tool Company's Second and Girard Streets plant is seen in the background.

Aerial view of Hughes Airport in Culver City, now Playa Vista, California. This private airport was owned by Howard Hughes and used for projects of the Hughes Aircraft Company and Hughes Tool Company. Lincoln Boulevard can be seen in the foreground, and on the left are Jefferson Boulevard and Ballona Creek.

Transcribed from attachment to photo: "TOUGH TEST - A hard formation drilling test is begun in the big laboratory at Hughes Tool Company, Houston, Texas, where any drilling condition found anywhere in the world can be duplicated. Here, where the vast majority of rock bits used in the U. S. and Canada are produced, is the cornerstone of Howard Hughes' industrial empire; it was principally the income from the oil drilling equipment company which enables Hughes to branch out into many other fields."

Description given with photo: "Flying Boat Takes Off - Pedro, Calif. : With all eight motors roaring, Howard Hughes' giant plywood flying boat skims across the surface of Los Angeles harbor at 95 miles per hour on November 2nd. Shortly afterward, Hughes lifted the plane into the air for an unscheduled half-mile flight. Credit Line (ACME) 11/04/47."

Description given with photo: "Float Hughes Flying Boat, San Pedro, Calif.: Water pours into Howard Hughes' mammoth drydock as the millionaire plane builder prepares to float his giant plywood flying boat on November 1st. The nose of the 200-ton craft can be seen at right. In upper right are three of the four right wind engines. Credit Line (ACME) 11/04/47."