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Dylan, for 19d I have a common word for peculiar (strange, odd) and 14 clashes without any in 19d. However, although I've completed the end-game I'm stuck on 18a (although I have an idea but can't make it work with the required extra letter) and 35a. In theory I should know what the clashing letters are (in order to produce the required letter) but, no joy with that approach either.

Granama, for 18 A, the first word in the clue gives the first three letters of the entry (the fourth is the extra letter, which I think you have), with the last letter (of the entry) being 'of'.

I think you may be wrong about 19d, Granama1, and that accounts for your problem with 35a.

Thanks Malone. That put a spanner in the works regarding my symmetry but I think I see now why there are 2 clashes in 19d and a couple of odd 'non-clashes' which mean I've solved 35a too. Thanks again and on to the Inquisitor!

You are right SonofRover. I was mislead by assuming the clashes were symmetrical in a particular way....the wrong particular way!

Thanks, granama. There's definitely a lot going on, to keep track of, in this one!

The only thing that baffles me ( but no-one else yet it would seem!) is how the definition 'key organ' equates to the word it has to be before losing the extra letter and changing another to produce the grid entry for 25 across. Could someone enlighten me please? Thanks.

theragman - I have a word for a key organ which drops the 3rd letter and changes the 4th to usual abbreviation for old, if that helps?

I too have completed grid but cannot parse 27d or 31d if anyone fancies putting me out of my misery…

specsaver,
For 27d, Makes is a 6 letter word beginning with c. Middle of Explorative to be included. You see the answer on the moon.

For 31d, defensive position is 7 letter word S?????E.
After removing extra letter replace O with E.