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Hello rusty
I have never seen a V22 before today.
My neighbour and I guessed it was Trump and this was confirmed soon after.
We often have Police choppers circling when they are tracking culprits.

Rusty, 28 Across...
Spirit revealed albeit briefly in French art (5) Ethos

Albeit = Though = Tho (briefly, so shortened)
Es = French for are, and art = are (how great thou art etc).

Hi, Rusty!
"Taoisreach" was a new term for me!
I worked out the word from the clue...... then had to Google it to verify the meaning!
28a: Spirit revealed albeit briefly in French art (5)
I have it as
ethos = spirit (def)
tho' - though; albeit
es - French for "are / art" (tu es = you are)
Now, I cannot parse 27a: Bizarre device tor converting motion (9)
I have got as far as "eccentric" = "bizarre" (def)
But cannot see the rest?
What am I not getting, please?
Yes, I do know of Skype , Rusty....but unfortunately I cannot be doing with using it, as it triggers off my migraine!
The tiny flickering that can occur (pixels?) sets my vision disturbances off!
(This is the aura that presages a migraine headache)
So we have to make do with the telephone!
The first men's Semi-final is now underway; Kevin Anderson against John Isner....
Even Stevens so far!

Hello, Malone!
Thank you for your help.
That was a clue too far, for me.
I had "ethos", though.
Just looked Bradford's and she has "es" under "art"
I shall give best to the setter on this one!

Rusty, glad I could help - it was one I could and did parse!

Elle, an Eccentric is a 'device for taking an alternating rectilinear motion from a revolving shaft '. I didn't know that until today, when I looked it up in Chambers.

Hello, Elle!
There is no "r" in "Taoiseach"!
Thank you for the parse for 28.
I did not know "albeit", I would have suggested it made sense as "all be it", a new word for me!
I did not know "es" but Anne Bradford did, I have just found out!
In mechanical devices an offset cam is an "eccentric" cam.
They were used to open and close contact breakers in a car's ignition system, making the engine go. (Wonder if that is what the setter is alluding to?)
Now, that is as close to an explanation as I can get, Elle.
I have never used Skype.
That is a pity about your migraine attacks.

Hello, Malone,
I think your version of "eccentric" is better than mine!
I remember changing the "points" (contact breakers) in cars and that is where I learned about eccentric cams.

Elle,
Malone's "eccentric" is the one to go with.
You did well on the puzzle today!

Hi, Rusty!
I apologise for my typo, Rusty!
I don't know where the "r" came from - fortunately, I didn't write it in the crossword grid!!
Re 27a: I didn't think of the word "eccentric" as meaning a device....
I was trying to break the word down into components.......I was completely on the wrong track.......
The tennis is very exciting...are you looking in?
Kevin Anderson has taken the first set, which went to a tie -break....
I do not know Iohn Isner, but John McEnroe tells us that Isner was two match points down in the Second Round.....went on to overcome that...and is now in the Semi Final...so presumably a formidable player!
I am looking forward to the second Semi, when two of my favourites - Rafa and Novak - play each other!
Are you keeping up with cycling and the golf?
What progress there?



Hello, Malone!
Thank you for your input.....
I was way off beam...I was trying to break down the word "eccentric".....
Are you watching the tennis?
I am sad, though, that Roger is out of it.......

Elle, glad to help with Eccentric.

Yes, I have the tennis on and am enjoying these two giants playing each other. I thought the Federer v Anderson match was excellent, almost as thrilling as Nadal v del Potro. I agreed with John McEnroe when he said that this was the first time he'd seen Roger appearing human, not invincible.

Hello, Elle!
I have looked in and out of the tennis, but am hoping Jamie and Victoria are on soon.
Speaking of Victoria, there is a photo of Victoria Pendleton in The Times today.
She was all dolled up at Newmarket races yesterday.
Today's setter has had us thinking!
I have seen Isner before, several years ago.
He was involved in the longest match at Wimbledon, ever.
I forget his opponent though, or who won.
Kevin Anderson is 6ft 8ins and Isner is taller than him!
Must like their porridge!
Golf is very good, but not much happening in le Tour.
They are a good bit out from the finish though, then the sprinters should come to the fore.