Transcribed from back of photo: "Howard Hughes in the cockpit of the new XF-11 reconnaissance plane which he designed and built in conjuntion with Air Material Command engineers. He is preparing for its first flight. One of the world's fastest long-range photo planes, it can attain a speed of over 400 miles per hour."
The black and white view of Howard Hughes surrounded by people in Paris, France. Text printed on photograph's accompanying strip of paper: "Howard Hughes after arriving at Paris to complete the first leg of a round-the-world flight. 7-11-38."