The black and white view of Howard Hughes and his crew before leaving for Paris.

The black and white view of Howard Hughes and his crew before leaving for Paris.

The black and white, aerial view of Howard Hughes' Lockheed 14 aircraft performing its final landing on the Round the World flight in Floyd Bennett Airport, New York. Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Flight's End: Floyd Bennett Airport - Howard Hughes' silver monoplane, "World's Fair, 1939," as the skimmed the runway just before landing at 2:37 1/2 p.m., to end a dramatic dash around the world. A minutes later, Hughes and his companions were mobbed by officials. Credit (ACME). 7/14/38."

The black and white view of Howard Hughes in his Lockheed 14 aircraft at Floyd Bennett Field in New York. Text printed on accompanying paper strip: "Hughes takes off on flight to Paris. Floyd Bennett Field, New York City-- Howard Hughes, multi-millionaire speed flyer, pictured in the nose of his Hughes Lockheed "Flying Laboratory" as Hughes and his picked crew of four prepared for the take-off to Paris and probably around the world on July 10th. A few minutes after this picture was taken, the giant ship lifted from the field to follow the trail blazed by Chrales A. Lindbergh. Credit Line (ACME) 7/10/38."

From the Bob Paluzzi Panoramic Photographs

Transcribed from press release attached to back of photo: "NEW-DESIGN PHOTO PLANE COMPLETED CULVER CITY, Calif., July 7 -- test-flown today for the first time, the new XF-11 was revealed as one of the world's fastest long-range photographic planes. It was designed and built by Howard Hughes in conjunction with the Air Materiel command engineers. Army officials said that it can attain a speed of more than 400 miles per hour and a ceiling of more than 40,000 feet. The plane has a pressurized cabin making it unnecessary for the crew to use oxygen masks. 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."