Howard Hughes (2nd from right) with group of men inside the Hughes Tool Company shop in Houston.

The black and white view of Howard Hughes and his crew being surrounded by crowds as they exit the Lockheed 14 aircraft after finishing the Around the World flight at Floyd Bennett Airfield in New York. "Description printed on photograph's accompanying sheet of paper: A scene at Floyd Bennett Field as Howard Hughes and his crew landed after completing a round the world flight. 7-14-38 (Press Association)."

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.

The black and white view of members of the Aeronautical Association awaiting the arrival of Howard Hughes and his Lockheed 12 aircraft at the Floyd Bennett Airport in New York. Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Official timers of Aeronautical Association compare their precision chronometers as Lockheed-14 roars overhead, marking end of Round-the-World flight at Floyd Bennett Airport." Typed onto a second piece of paper also attached to the image: "Official timers of the Aeronautical Association shown at Floyd Bennett Field comparing their precision chronometers as Howard Hughes' plane roared overhead marking the end of his Flight Around The World. July 1938."

The black and white view of a crowd of people gathering to greet Howard Hughes at Floyd Bennett Field Airport in New York. Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "HH-101 NY-101. Here are thousands who greeted Howard Hughes and his crew after completing Round the World Flight at Bennett Field Airport. 7-14-38 (Press Association)."

Howard Hughes (foreground) and S. P. Brown (bending over) examining the new Hughes rock bit head at the Hughes Tool Company plant.

Howard Hughes in cockpit of Lockheed-14 before take-off from Floyd Bennet Field in New York.