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."
Description given with photo: "Losing Money on Flying Boat, Says Hughes, Culver City, Calif.: Howard Hughes (center, facing camera) makes his first appearance before the press since the start of the senate investigation into his multi-million dollar plane contracts. Hughes said the government is getting its $18,000,000 worth out of his big, eight-engined flying boat but he's losing money. the plane has yet to be flown. Credit (ACME). 7-30-47."
Color; 55 x 45 cm., on sheet 95 x 47 cm., folded to 24 x 10 cm. Panel title: Las Vegas city map. Copyright held by Cardinal Publishing Company. Relief shown by hachures. Includes illustrations and advertisements. Index, text, illustrations, advertisements, and map of "Lake Mead National Recreation Area, lower basin section" on verso. Original publisher: Cardinal Publishing Company.
A view of Howard Hughes (right) being asked about his controversial XF-11 photo reconnaissance plane by Senator Harry Cain (left), Republican of Washington, in Culver City, California. An unidentified man sits between the two.
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: "Howard Hughes is welcomed by New York on return from Round the World flight. Grover Whalen is on the left. 7/15/38."