The date is given as 7 July 1946, the day the first XF-11 made its only flight. A propeller went in reverse pitch in flight and pilot Howard Hughes was badly injured in the resulting crash. In the background is the Lockheed Constellation prototype, 43-10309, ex NX25600. Hughes had purchased that aircraft for $20,000. Lockheed bought it back and converted it to the Super Constellation prototype in 1950. Photo from: University of Nevada Las Vegas

The Skyhopper prototype at Culver City, CA in May 1946. That's some "airport" with a lot of other planes in the weeds including the Fairchild PT-19 next to the Skyhopper. This original single-seat version was marketed as the Skyhopper I, but the type name was later changed to Skyhopper 10.

Hughes Tool Co corporate aircraft. Now with the Fantasy of Flight Museum, Florida. Photo from: Civil Aviation Historical Society, Melbourne, Australia

Howard Hughes in front of his huge XH-17 crane helicopter. It was actually a Kellett design. Hughes converted the original test rig into flyable prototype using parts from other aircraft, including the cockpit section of a Waco CG-15. The XH-17 had two jet engines feeding compressed air to compressed air burners at the tips of the giant rotor blades. It first flew on 16 September 1952 but the media were led to believe they witnessed the first flight on 23 October. The US Air Force cancelled the impractical XH-17 and the planned H-28 development in 1953. Photo by: Loomis Dean / Life