Knute Rockne Crash Annivesary 3/31/1931

[DEEPNHOCK]

http://tinyurl.com/Knute-Rockne-Crash-Annivesary

(see link for complete story)

Knute Rockne's untimely death 80 years ago

Photos:

[Studebaker Wheel]

[barnlark]

I didn't realize that passengers had fallen from the plane after the wing broke off. How tragic. I really hate turbulence while flying now, but I can't imagine the terror that morning. Sadly it took many of those to finally make the industry safer for everyone.

Thanks for that tricky photo again, RQ.

[Studebaker Wheel]

He drove that car out to the Proving Ground and had his picture taken in front of the big STUDEBAKER tree sign. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I appreciate the story on the last flight. Some details in there that I was not aware. I heard that one of the methods used to identify Rockne's body was the Studebaker key fob he had in his pocket. Indeed a tragedy on so many levels. After all his health issues and the murdeous schedule he maintained Rockne deserved a peaceful and less stressful tenure at Studebaker with an occassional appearence to promote the companies cars. According to most reports that's what he hoped to do. Not sure if it was mentioned but he was only 43 at the time of his passing. I normally imagine him as being older than that. He accomplished much in those years.

[BobPalma]

Interesting, Jeff; thanks for the post.

It says Rockne won three consensus national chamopionships. Does it really mean consensus or does it mean consecutive? Were there no "playoffs" at the time and so "everybody" kind of agreed (consensus) that Notre Dame was/were National Champions?

Just asking; I honestly don't know. BP

[barnlark]

Well, Bob, now that the foundry is coming down and there's not much left Studebaker historical-wise to pour through outside of the Museum, maybe someone close to the College Football Hall of Fame can get that answer for you. Plenty of Irish fans out there nationally to make it a consensus every year, btw! South Bend certainly has had their share of heartbreak.

[StudHawk60]

"His record during the period 1918-1930 stood at 105 wins, 12 losses and five ties for an unparalleled winning percentage of .881."


Unbelievable.





He's buried in South Bend's Highland Cemetery, about 200' from my Grandparents.

[BobPalma]

Curious.

I just re-read the report and concluded only two people actually died in the plane when it hit the ground.

The text says Rockne was accompanied by five other passengers and, of course, there was the pilot: A total of seven people in the plane.

If five fell out before impact, only two actually "went down with the ship." Gulp. BP

[Nelsen Motorsports]

Funny thing: my Grandmother or her parents had always said they were related to Knute Rockne. They are also Norwegian in ethnicity and even my grandmother looks a bit like him. Sorry I don't have any good photos, or at least of her in her youth where a resemblence would be noticeable.

Something even more creepy. My mother's maiden name is Erskine and I have a pic of my great, great grandfather who looks just like Albert R. Erskine. Up top my great great grandfather and the Erskine you know of is on the below that.

[JBOYLE]

About the crash...one of my reference books also lists the aircraft as a Fokker F-XA (Roman numeral). It seems both F-10 and F-X were used by Fokker and it's American arm, Atlantic Aviation.

R.E.G. Davies, the longtime curator of air transport for the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum writes in his epic book...Airlines of the United States since 1914, Putnam, Lundon, 1972, 1982:

"The casualties included Knute Rockne, the Notre Dame football coach, and the aviation industry, TWA, and Fokker could have had no greater adverse publicity had the victim been the President of the United States himself."

[Chris Pile]

Sent a link of this thread to SDC & ASC member Larry Tholen, as he is the arbiter of all things Rockne.....

[mbstude]

He drove that car out to the Proving Ground and had his picture taken in front of the big STUDEBAKER tree sign. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

The Rockne he's posed with must be a time machine. Not only did Knute pass away before the car saw production, but also before any of those STUDEBAKER trees were planted.

But hey, whatever works for ya.

[Bob Andrews]

The Rockne he's posed with must be a time machine. Not only did Knute pass away before the car saw production, but also before any of those STUDEBAKER trees were planted.

But hey, whatever works for ya.

I'm sure you know, but for others, it has been posted here as a Photoshopped picture, adding Rockne over the top of the picture.

[mbstude]

I'm sure you know, but for others, it has been posted here as a Photoshopped picture, adding Rockne over the top of the picture.

I'm well aware, just poking some fun at Mr. Quinn. I remember when the photo was published in Turning Wheels years ago.

[Studebaker Wheel]

I'm sure you know, but for others, it has been posted here as a Photoshopped picture, adding Rockne over the top of the picture.

C'mon guys, no one remembers the Rocky and Bullwinkle show from 1959-61 and "Fractured Fairy Tales?" And give me a little credit, I thought I did an excellent Photoshop job! What more do you want?? Like all CASOs you get something for nothing and you still find fault. Next time I plan on posting a really neat original photo of John M. Studebaker posing with his new R3 Avanti and I'm sure some "Doubting Thomas" will try to tell me it is not authentic.