Aero-Linx!

Scouring the information super airways can sometimes be a tough, if educational, task for the Aero-News staff... but it also allows us to check out some truly neat and exciting sites, so it's not that bad a gig. On any given day, we may check dozens (and often hundreds) of different sources for story ideas, and facts confirmation. And, as is the nature of our business, much of this is done on the Internet.

The ANN gang decided we probably shouldn't keep some of the neat sites, info resources, and organizations we've discovered to ourselves... so we decided to bring you Aero-Linx. These are the sites that WE check out -- when we need added perspective, a new spin on a day's topic... or just want to escape into cyber-aero-space for awhile.

Look for some of our favorite sites, coming each day to ANN via Aero-Linx. Suggestions for future Aero-Linx segments are always welcome, as well.

Aero-Linx: Missing Air Crew Report Database

This database is really an index to the MACRs, containing report number, date, aircraft type, aircraft serial number, group if known, and squadron if known. Please keep in mind that the source material, microfilm of WWII documents, can be difficult to read so expect transcription errors. With over 14,000 records there are bound to be a few, and some entries may contain questions marks when unreadable. The Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) was authorized in May 1943 to record the facts of the last known circumstances regarding missing air crews. The report was prepared by the unit shortly after the aircraft loss, usually within 48 hours, and then it was sent on to Headquarters, AAF. However, it should be noted that some MACRs were prepared after the war as needs dictated. Also many were prepared at the end of the war to cover losses prior to the introduction of the MACR in the summer of 1943. That is why some 1942/1943 losses will have large (late) MACR numbers while those from summer and fall 1943 will have low (early) numbers.

FMI: www.armyairforces.com/dbmacr.asp