A view of Howard Hughes and Florida's Senator Claude D. Pepper inspecting the construction of the Spruce Goose in San Pedro, California.

A view of Howard Hughes and Florida's Senator Claude D. Pepper inspecting the construction of the Spruce Goose in San Pedro, California.

A view of Howard Hughes and Florida's Senator Claude D. Pepper inspecting the construction of the Spruce Goose in San Pedro, California.

A view of Howard Hughes and Florida's Senator Claude D. Pepper inspecting the construction of the Spruce Goose in San Pedro, California.

Lily Pons (left), Howard Hughes (center), and an unidentified man (right) at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Text printed on an attached strip of paper: "Noted flier and his hostess at cocktail party Los Angeles, Cal. -- Howard Hughes, noted flier, with Lily Pons, singing star, as he attended the cocktail party given by Miss Pons at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Credit Line (ACME) 11/8/38 NY LOND PAR."

Description given with photo: "Hughes Arrives In New York: La Guardia Field, New York, N.Y. -- Completing his first air journey since his near-fatal test-flight accident July 7, Howard Hughes, airplane designer, pilot and movie producer, is interviewed by reporters after piloting his converted B-23 transport to a midnight landing here tonight at La Guardia Field. Hughes interrupted his convalescence to fly here from Culver City, Calif., with a stop-over in Kansas City. In New York, Hughes planned to cover with his attorneys regarding steps to protect his property rights in connection with the motion picture, "The Outlaw", which recently had its seal of approval revoked by the Motion Picture Association."