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."

The view of a crowd consisting of thousands of people who attended a parade that celebrated Howard Hughes completion of his flight Around the World in New York City.

The view of a crowd consisting of thousands of people who attended a parade that celebrated Howard Hughes completion of his flight Around the World in New York City.

The black and white view of Howard Hughes, Mayor La Guerdia, and Grover Whalen leaving City Hall through a parade dedicated to the completion of Hughes' Round the World flight in New York City, New York.

Howard Hughes on a ladder, climbing into the XF-11. A police officer is seen in the background.

Description given with photo: "Losing Money on Flying Boat, Says Hughes, Culver City, Calif.: Howard Hughes (center, facing camera) makes his first appearance before the press since the start of the senate investigation into his multi-million dollar plane contracts. Hughes said the government is getting its $18,000,000 worth out of his big, eight-engined flying boat but he's losing money. the plane has yet to be flown. Credit (ACME). 7-30-47."

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