A view of Howard Hughes (left) and California Governor Frank Merriam (right) dining together at a banquet for Howard Hughes in Los Angeles, California.

Date stamped on back of photo: Nov 2, 1947. Transcribed from attached press release: "IN THE AIR Hughes Flying boat, with Howard Hughes at the controls, takes to the air at Los Angeles Harbor November 2, 1947. LONG BEACH, Calif., Nov. 2 - - Howard Hughes' 400,000-pound flying boat, world's largest plane, in the air on its first flight. The mammoth aircraft today flew one mile at a height of 70 feet over Los Angeles Harbor with Hughes at the controls. Hughes had scheduled taxi tests only for the 219-foot long ship but it 'felt so good' on the second taxi test run at 95 miles per hour that he took it off the water, as shown here, on the third and final run. The super plane's air speed was 100 miles per hour. Take-off speed was 95 miles per hour. Hughes termed the tests exceptionally successful. The eight-engine behemoth, launched yesterday off Terminal Island, passed its tests today in view of thousands on the shore and in small craft near the test area."

Description given with photo: "Hughes Has Session With Senate Committee, Washington, D.C. -- Howard Hughes, right, who met with members of the Senate War Investigating Committee Feb. 11, is shown after the secret session with senators Carl A. hatch (D. - N.M.), Owen Brewster (R. - ME.), and William F. Knowland (R. Calif.), left to right. Committee chairman Brewster told reporters Hughes discovered certain war contracts of his were under investigation and "asked to appear to discuss them informally with the committee." Credit Line (ACME) 2/11/47."

Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: new York Hails Hughes and Companions, New York City --- In the greatest reception since Lindbergh's, Howard Hughes and his four gallant companions paraded up Broadway July 15 almost smothered beneath Manhattan's ticker tape accolade recognizing their record-smashing Round-the-World flight. This picture shows Hughes, center, waving to the cheering thousands. On the left is Grover Whalen, commissioner of the New York 1939 World's Fair and on the right is Al Lodwick, Hughes' flight manager. 7-15-38. Credit Line (ACME)."

A view of the inside fuselage of Howard Hughes' Flying Boat in Long Beach, California.

Description given with photograph: "Howard Hughes in New York after making a high altitude flight from Los Angeles during which he tested a new two-ounce oxygen mask."

Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Howard Hughes (second from left) surrounded by newspapermen in Los Angeles and telling them about his Round-The-World flight. 8/1/38. (Press Association)."