The black and white view of Howard Hughes in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Description printed on photograph's accompanying sheet of paper: "Howard Hughes at Minneapolis to refuel before leaving for Floyd Bennett Field to complete a round the world flight."
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.
The black and white view of the Lockheed 14 aircraft in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Description written on back of photograph: "World-fame drops on City out of blue, sunny skies: Fame came to the municipal airport and the city of Minneapolis in a flash of silver and a roar at 7:38 am, July 14, 1938 when Howard Hughes swooped to Earth in his Droning Silver Bullet on his record breaking round-the-world flight. Photo-courtesy "The Minneapolis Star" Board of Park Commissions. 325 City Hall Minneapolis Minn."
Howard Hughes sitting inside the Lockheed 14 aircraft in New York. Typed on a piece of paper attached to the image: "Hughes' Paris hop delayed by motor trouble. New York City-- Howard Hughes, millionaire oil man and speed flyer, in the cabin of his huge Lockheed plane as he waited impatiently for a crew of mechanics to repair one of the motors so that he could take off for Paris. He was forced to give up his plans to leave on July 9th when mechanics found that it would be impossible to change the 18 cylinders of his motors in time. Crews worked all night at the job. Rough spots were found in the cylinders during fuel consumption tests. Credit Line (ACME) 7/10/38 Burs SF."