Cryptic crossword No 1,053

Puzzle copyright 1 Across. Original version first published as No. 2081, April 2022 issue.

That was great fun, thanks Conto. You did it very well. I particularly liked 1a (fun PD), 6a (neat), 11a (fun surface), 18a (neat), 22a (clean), 25a (cute), 27a (fun surface), 3d (very neat), 5d (likewise), 6d (on a roll), 8d (neat), 16d (nice assembly), 23d (very neat) and 24d (very neat) - cool idea and smoothly executed, good stuff!

Hi Conto Wish I'd seen the special instruction earlier, because without 'it' I was scratching my head a lot! But that was a loud PDM and the it all started falling into place nicely. Ticks for 12a, 19a, 25a (even though earwigs don't have wings, lol), 26a, 3d, 4d, 6d, 8d, 17d, 20d, 24d. Spoilers...

Nothing major here but...1a passes me by altogether, though I'm sure theres a doh in there when I get it! 11a def = red = TROT? 18a yellow = fair? 28a arsenal is a store not factory. 3d I struggle to recognise KAPUT - yes, even though it's in the dictionary. As a graduate of German, with it being a borrowed word it really should be KAPUTT.

Enjoyed this a lot, Conto. I had an idea as to what it might be from fairly early on but needed some crossers to be able to fit a few clues and then it became clear. It's a really nice treatment with a lot of variety. Favourites include 11a, 12a, 18a, 23a, 25a, 27a, 5d, 8d, 16d, 17d and 21d. Very imaginative. Thanks. PM

Really enjoyed this Conto. I got ‘it’ quickly, which helped. Like Baldur, I am baffled by 1A. My podium is 6A, 27A and 6D.

Thanks to everyone for their kind comments - it's much appreciated.