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1a. A bit of chicken curry
COMB

3a. Bad oarsman can be a successful fisherman
CATCH A CRAB

Parses for the above please.

1 A. Chickens have Combs, coxcombs, hairy bits on top of their heads- and Comb alslo means curry, groom.

3 A A double definition. Chambers says that catch a crab means to sink the oar too deeply, or not enough in the water and fall back in consequence. And a fisherman ight be happy to catch a crab.

Thanks for these couple of answers.
Your Chambers dictionary....is it a physical dictionary or an online? Is it free to use?

Thanks, Whetstone. My Chambers is the actual book. I don't have any experience of the online version, but other Forum users mention it occasionally.

Whetstone, there’s a thread here which you may find useful…
https://www.crosswordsolver.org/forum/498582/chambers-dictionary/

…also this thread is quite informative
https://www.crosswordsolver.org/forum/794741/quick-chambers-question/

3a. Gilbert's modern model in brass
MAJOR-GENERAL

24a. Something badly done has friend appearing for trial
COCK-UP

27a. Taking care always to be in the right gear
DRESSY

4d. Support of knights for series of contests?
CHAMPIONSHIP

17d. Crown left in ship's tender
PINNACLE

18d. Hollow warning of schoolboys to sailors
CAVERN

Parses for the above please.

24a....just worked it out ...COCK meaning mate/pal (if you're a Londoner!!) and UP meaning 'up in court'.

3a. Gilbert and Sullivan…
… I am the very model of a modern Major-General, etc