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 second and last example of Howard Hughes' XF-11, first flown by him on 5 April 1947 after he had recovered from crashing the first one. The second aircraft did not have contra-rotating propellers. A long-range reconaissance aircraft, the XF-11 competed against the four-engined Republic XF-12 Rainbow but neither was put in production. The F for photo reconnaissance designation was changed to R in September 1947. Photo from: San Diego Air & Space Museum