Howard Hughes (standing) , talking with William Powell, Veronica Lake, and Andr? Toth (seated) and Johnny Meier, Hughes Public Relations head, behind, at the 21 Club in New York City.
Scale [ca. 1:9,600. 1 in. to approx. 800 ft.]. Cadastral map. 'Compiled by Pioneer Title Insurance &Trust Company.' 'By Jack Asher, State Nev. Reg. Engr. No. 305.' 'Issue 5, 6/1/46.' Includes indexes. Pioneer Title Insurance & Trust Company
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.