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 after being interviewed about his controversial XF-11 photo reconnaissance plane by Republican of Washington, Senator Harry Cain in Culver City, California. Here Hughes' mustache has been digitally removed from the photo.

Panoramic view of houses in Boulder City. This photo was taken between Dec. 15, 1933 and June, 1934.

Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: new York Hails Hughes and Companions, New York City --- In the greatest reception since Lindbergh's, Howard Hughes and his four gallant companions paraded up Broadway July 15 almost smothered beneath Manhattan's ticker tape accolade recognizing their record-smashing Round-the-World flight. This picture shows Hughes, center, waving to the cheering thousands. On the left is Grover Whalen, commissioner of the New York 1939 World's Fair and on the right is Al Lodwick, Hughes' flight manager. 7-15-38. Credit Line (ACME)."

Panoramic view of houses from the water tank in Boulder City. This photo was taken between December 15, 1933 and June, 1934.