Howard Hughes (wearing hat) receives congratulations from Mayor Fiorello La Guardia at Floyd Bennett Airport in Brooklyn. The gentleman wearing a polka dot bow tie, standing behind the mayor is Grover Whalen. Mr. Whalen was president of the 1939 New York World's Fair.
Description printed on photograph's accompanying sheet of paper: "Howard Hughes being escorted through crowd after delivering an address at the National Press Club on July 21."
Description given with photo: "Hercules Fuselage Leaves Hangar, Calver City, Calif. - The hull of Howard Hughes' huge cargo flying boat, the Hercules, largest airplane in the world leaves hangar in the Culver City, Calif., plant to begin a 28-mile trip to Terminal Island, Calif., by truck and dolly. the 220-foot long hull-fuselage will follow the path of the wing sections to the graving dock where the air giant will be assembled. Credit Line (ACME) 6/16/46."