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."

From the Sister Klaryta Antoszewska Photograph Collection (PH-00352). 

From the Sister Klaryta Antoszewska Photograph Collection (PH-00352). 

From the Sister Klaryta Antoszewska Photograph Collection (PH-00352). 

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

A view of Howard Hughes conversing with an unidentified group of people in Calfornia.

A view of Howard Hughes conversing with an unidentified group of people in California.