Nov. 2, 1947: the big day. A huge crowd has assembled to see the beast fly for the first (and what will be the last) time.
Hughes arrives; he will of course be PIC for the test flight.
Soon she's ready to be towed out into the harbor.
Slowly being towed out...
Some more personnel arrive by boat.
Hughes takes up watch during the tow, making sure the area is clear.
Next: she taxis for the first time...
but i think it never lifted more than a few feet out of the water 
