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.

Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Fete, Hughes, and crew at Luncheon. Left to right at the head of the table are Harry P. Connor, navigator of the Hughes plane, Grover Whalen, Howard hughes, Mayor Fiorello Laguardia of New York City, Thomas Thurlow, Navigator, Richard Stoddart, radio engineer, and Edward Lund, flight engineer. At the bottom center of the photo is William Randolph Hearst, Jr., son of the publisher. 7/15/38"

Howard Hughes surrounded by crowds and security guards, likely in France after landing his Lockheed 14 aircraft.

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 Howard Hughes surrounded by a crowd of people in France. Text printed on accompanying strip of paper: "Howard Hughes as he landed in Paris on the first leg of his round-the-world flight. 7-11-38."