The black and white view of Howard Hughes and his crew at Floyd Bennett Field in New York. Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Before Hughes hopped off for Paris. Left to right: Edward Lund, Flight Engineer, Howard Hughes, Grover Whalen, Harry Connor, Navigator and Dick Stoddard Radio Engineer. At Floyd Bennett Airport 7/10/38."
Transcribed from press release attached to photo: "HUGHES READY FOR TAKE-OFF IN SECOND XF-11 FLIGHT. CULVER CITY, Calif., April 5 -- Howard Hughes, famed flier-industrialist, recovered from injuries following crash last July 7, is shown here just before he test-piloted today a duplicate of the plane in which he nearly lost his life. He designed and built the plane, designated XF-11, and one of the world's fastest photo-reconnaissance ships, for the Army Air Forces in conjunction with the Air Materiel Command engineers.
Transcribed from attached press release: "Howard Hughes, on the flight deck of his flying boat, world's largest airplane, discusses with his flight engineer and radio operator, plans for tomorrow's taxi testing of the 400,000 pound craft. The flight deck occupies the upper level in the nose of the 219-foot hull, Nov 1, 1947."
Description given with photograph: "Hughes' streamlined Stratoliner groomed for record dash. Glendale, Calif.-- With customary secrecy, Howard Hughes, millionaire oilman and speed-flier, is reported to be grooming his new $250,000, four-motored, streamlined Stratoliner(above) for another record-breaking transcontinental flight from Glendale, Calif., to New York. Hughes made the headlines some time ago when he broke the transcontinental record in a smaller ship. The new craft is pictured just before a trial flight at Glendale."
Description given with photo: "Float Flying Boat, San Pedro, Calif.: Workmen prepare to float Howard Hughes' 200-ton plywood flying boat at San Pedro on Nov. 1st for taxi tests in Los Angeles Harbor. The craft can be seen in its mammoth drydock, where it was assembled and outfitted. Credit Line (ACME) 11/04/47."