The black and white view of Howard Hughes plane in flight over New York City, July 1938

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.

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

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

An aerial view of a crowd consisting of thousands of people who attended a parade that celebrated Howard Hughes completion of his flight round-the-world flight in New York City.

A view of a crowd consisting of thousands of people who attended a parade that celebrated Howard Hughes completion of his flight round-the-world flight in New York City.