Howard Hughes giving a news conference beside his airplane after landing in New York. This was his first flight after the nearly fatal XF-11 prototype crash in 1946.
Description given with photo: "Float Hughes Flying Boat, San Pedro, Calif.: Water pours into Howard Hughes' mammoth drydock as the millionaire plane builder prepares to float his giant plywood flying boat on November 1st. The nose of the 200-ton craft can be seen at right. In upper right are three of the four right wind engines. Credit Line (ACME) 11/04/47."