Howard Hughes (in white shirt) supervises construction of the Hughes D-2 at the Hughes Aircraft Company. in Culver City, California. The D-2 was the prototype of the XF-11.
Description printed on photograph's accompanying sheet of paper: "Howard Hughes after his round the world flight shaking hands with Secretary of State Cordell Hell as R. Walton Moore Counselor of the Department of State looks on. July 1938."
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.
Description printed on back of photograph: "Howard Hughes shaking hands with Major General Oscar Westover, Head of the US Air Corps, at a luncheon at the National Press Club. Jesse Jones stands at extreme right with other notables in the center. July 1938."
A view of Howard Hughes in the back of an automobile in New York. Description printed on photograph's accompanying sheet of paper: "Howard Hughes on his way to a hotel after arriving in New York. 7-14-38. (Press Association)"
Multiple, close up views of Howard Hughes in the back of an automobile in New York. Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Howard Hughes at Floyd Bennett Airport being interviewed after his record-breaking flight around the world. 7/14/38."