Howard Hughes (second from left) standing in front of the experimental helicopter XH-17, Flying Crane, with others (from left to right): Rea Hopper, Director of the Aeronautical Division, Hughes Aircraft Company; Hughes; Clyde Jones, Director of Engineering, Hughes Tool Company Aeronautical Division; Warren Reed, Assistant; Colonel Carl E. Jackson, Air Research and Development Headquarters, Baltimore; Gale J. Moore, Pilot; possibly Chal Bowen, Flight Engineer/Co-pilot, and an unidentified man, October 23, 1952.
The exterior of Hughes Research Laboratories where rock bits were test-drilled in Culver City, California in the 1940s. Transcribed from note taped to back of photo: "Rock bits are test-drilled in the laboratory under conditions that duplicate, as far as is possible in the laboratory, those encountered in actual drilling. As a result, rotational speeds, loads, and fluid volume are closely controlled. The rig operator occupies a splash-proof booth above the 'cellar floor.' The instruments on his control panel provide for application and measurement of variable axial loading on the drilling bit up to 100,000 lbs., variable rotational speeds up to 400 rpm, measurement of bit penetration over a total vertical travel of 5 feet at rates up to 180 ft. per hour, and torque. On the panel, also, are several controls for the operation of mud pump and other accessory equipment."
Date stamped on back of photo: April 3, 1947. Transcribed from attached press release: "HUGHES FLIES DUPLICATE OF CRASH PLANE CULVER CITY, Calif., April 5 -- Howard Hughes, famed flier-industrialist, today test-piloted the plane pictured here, a duplicate of the XF-11 photo-reconnaissance ship which he nearly lost his life in an accident last July 7. He designed and built the plane for the Army Air forces in conjunction with the Air Materiel Command engineers. He has recovered from the injuries sustained last year when the freak propeller trouble dashed the original XF-11 to earth. As usual, he today took personal responsibility for the first test flight of the new plane." The actual flying date is April 4, 1947.
Transcribed from press release attached to back of photo: "NEW-DESIGN PHOTO PLANE COMPLETED CULVER CITY, Calif., July 7 -- test-flown today for the first time, the new XF-11 was revealed as one of the world's fastest long-range photographic planes. It was designed and built by Howard Hughes in conjunction with the Air Materiel command engineers. Army officials said that it can attain a speed of more than 400 miles per hour and a ceiling of more than 40,000 feet. The plane has a pressurized cabin making it unnecessary for the crew to use oxygen masks. 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."
Transcribed from attachment to photo: "NEW LONG-RANGE PLANE ANNOUNCED CULVER CITY, CALIF., The FX-11 took off today on its first test flight. One of the world's fastest long-range photographic planes, it was designed and built by Howard Hughes in conjunction with Air Materiel Command engineers. It has a wing spread of 101 feet, 4 inches, and is powered by two 3000-horsepower radial engines with eight-bladed contra-rotating propellers. Army officials said it can attain a speed of more than 400 miles per hour and has a ceiling of more than 40,000 feet." 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."
On a wooden stage decorated with yellow tables and a red and yellow curtain backdrop, entertainers perform Act 9: "Chicago," Scene 2: "Club Royale" of the show Pzazz! 70 staged by Donn Arden at the Desert Inn Hotel, Las Vegas. At the center of the stage stands a female performer clothed in a glittery, yellow dress with a matching yellow feather headpiece. Located to the female's left is a man in mid-step who is dressed as a waiter. He is wearing a red tuxedo, a black bow tie, and is holding a metal serving tray. Dancing on either side of the waiter and central woman are other female and male performers who are paired together in a female-male fashion. The males are wearing black tuxedoes with white gloves as the females are sporting short, black dresses, a matching feathery black headpiece, black tights, and varying colored high heels. A crowd of onlookers enjoy the performance from beneath the stage. Show Name: Pzazz! 70 Performance Name: Chicago: Club Royale
On a wooden stage decorated with a metal structure that provides steps for the performers to stand on, entertainers perform the finale "New York-A Salute to Duke Ellington" of the show Pzazz! 70 staged by Donn Arden at the Desert Inn Hotel, Las Vegas. Standing in the center front of the stage is a male performer dressed in a prison inspired black and white striped costume that shows off his midriff and has white straps for arm sleeves. Surrounding the man are other various male and females also striking poses for the crowd. The other males are dressed in prison inspired orange and black striped costumes, while the females are either sporting one-shouldered, sparkling orange dresses with matching orange feather headpieces, or a two-piece costume made out of mesh covered in sparkling orange beading and with matching orange feather headpieces. Show Name: Pzazz! 70 Performance Name: New York-A Salute to Duke Ellington
The black and white view of Howard Hughes in his Lockheed 14 aircraft at Floyd Bennett Field in New York. Text printed on accompanying paper strip: "Hughes takes off on flight to Paris. Floyd Bennett Field, New York City-- Howard Hughes, multi-millionaire speed flyer, pictured in the nose of his Hughes Lockheed "Flying Laboratory" as Hughes and his picked crew of four prepared for the take-off to Paris and probably around the world on July 10th. A few minutes after this picture was taken, the giant ship lifted from the field to follow the trail blazed by Chrales A. Lindbergh. Credit Line (ACME) 7/10/38."
The black and white view of men assembling a truck loaded with old telephone booths for Howard Hughes arrival in New York. Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Telephone company "goes to town" for Hughes' arrival, New York City -- Something had to be done to take care of the thousands of potential telephone users who crowded Floyd Bennett Field, July 14th, for the arrival of Howard Hughes and his daring crew on their dash Around the World, so the New York Telephone Company, well aware of the fact that the few phones at the field couldn't possibly accommodate, the officials, police, and spectators, "went to town" with a truck loaded with old telephone booths. A line was quickly strung and the phones in the booths on the truck were plugged in. The business was rushing and the phone company was well rewarded for its enterprise. Credit Line (ACME) 7/14/38."
The black and white, aerial view of Howard Hughes' Lockheed 14 aircraft performing its final landing on the Round the World flight at Floyd Bennett Airport, New York. Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Cars Jam Parking Spaces at Field as Hughes Arrives, New York City: Ann air-view of the thousands of cars at Floyd Bennett Field, July 14th, as welcomers streamed to the field from all directions to take part in the wild ovation accorded Howard Hughes and his gallant crew of four when they landed their great plane on the field 3 days, 19 hours, and 14 minutes after taking off on their flight around the world. Credit Line (ACME). 7-14-38. NY CHI FOR.)"