A view of Howard Hughes attending an informal press conference in Culver City, California, after Hughes left the Senate War Investigating Subcommittee hearing in Washington.

A view of Howard Hughes attending an informal press conference in Culver City, California, after Hughes left the Senate War Investigating Subcommittee hearing in Washington.

Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Mayor Laguardia on the steps of City Hall receiving Howard Hughes and his Globe Girdlers. They are (L-to-R) Ed Lund, Richard Stoddart, Thomas Thurlow, Laguardia, Howard Hughes, and Harry Connor. 7-15-1938."

Description given with photo: "Hull of "Hercules" Starts Journey to Assembly Dock, Culver City, Calif. - The 220-foot-long fuselage of Howard Hughes' gigantic airplane crawls down the highway on truck dollies after leaving the Culver City, Calif., plant. the hull is on its way to the graving dock for assembly at Terminal Island, Calif., 28 miles away. Note size of man on top of hull. NY EUR CAN. Credit (ACME) 6/16/46"

Description given with photo: "Hercules Fuselage Leaves Hangar, Calver City, Calif. - The hull of Howard Hughes' huge cargo flying boat, the Hercules, largest airplane in the world leaves hangar in the Culver City, Calif., plant to begin a 28-mile trip to Terminal Island, Calif., by truck and dolly. the 220-foot long hull-fuselage will follow the path of the wing sections to the graving dock where the air giant will be assembled. Credit Line (ACME) 6/16/46."

Howard Hughes in the cockpit of his XF-11 airplane before his first test flight.

Aerial view of Hughes Airport in Culver City, now Playa Vista, California. This private airport was owned by Howard Hughes and used for projects of the Hughes Aircraft Company and Hughes Tool Company. Lincoln Boulevard can be seen in the foreground, and on the left are Jefferson Boulevard and Ballona Creek.