Howard Hughes speaks into two microphones as he gives a news conference beside the Douglas DC-3, after landing in New York. This was his first flight after the nearly fatal crash of the first XF-11. A number of officials and onlookers stand nearby.

The black and white view of the Lockheed 14 aircraft at Floyd Bennett Field in New York. Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Scene at Floyd Bennett Airport this evening shortly before the big Lockheed special monoplane New York World's Fair 1939 took off on a transatlantic flight to Paris, carrying Howard Hughes an a crew of four."

'Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1855 by J.H. Colton & Co. in the Clerk's Office of the Dist. Court of the U.S. for the South'n. Dist. of New York.' Scale [ca. 1:4,752,000. 1 in. to approx. 75 miles] (W 120°--W 102°/N 43°--N 32°). Shows natural features, and populated places, wagon route, proposed railroad routes and explorers' routes. Relief shown by hachures. Prime meridians: Greenwich and Washington.Hand colored. Atlas p. number in lower-right margin: 51. Decorative border. J.H. Colton & Co.

A view of Howard Hughes' Hercules in Culver City, California.

A view of Howard Hughes' Hercules in Culver City, California.

A view of Howard Hughes after being interviewed about his controversial XF-11 photo reconnaissance plane by Republican of Washington, Senator Harry Cain in Culver City, California.