An overhead view of the near-fatal crash of Howard Hughes' XF-11 in Culver City, California.

Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Howard Hughes walking along a hall at the State Department. Left to right: Jesse Jones, Howard Hughes, Harold Brayman, President of the National Press Club. July 1938."

Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "City Hall steps - 7/15/38. (Daily News)."

A view of Howard Hughes (left) being asked about his controversial XF-11 photo reconnaissance plane by Senator Harry Cain (right), Republican of Washington, in Culver City, California.

Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Contemplative smile. Here, Howard Hughes seems in rapt thought during one of the numerous speeches extolling his feat. Probably thinking of the "men who designed and perfected to its present remarkable state of efficiency, the modern American flying machine and equipment." (The quote is from his own official statement to the press.) Credit Lines (ACME) 7/15/38."

Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Howard Hughes is welcomed by New York on return from Round the World flight. Grover Whalen is on the left. 7/15/38."

Howard Hughes on a ladder, climbing into the XF-11. A police officer is seen in the background.