Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

I seem to have finished this but I am mystified by parts of the preamble. Firstly I cannot make sense of all of the message from the extra letters, nor can I find what the two consecutive operations are. I have found the correct result and have filled the two unclued lights correctly (as the unches used do spell A SELL OUT). Finally I do not know what the general term for the object is, but what I have in the grid appears to satisfy what is required. Most puzzling!!!

If you add the wrong result to the right result the sum gives the number of the clue giving the 'general term' [after the sum from the wrong answer subtracted from the right answer is removed from the answer - the removed letters are consecutive].
The 2nd consecutive operation is written up the way from the last down clue.

gitto,
the operations that reads up only involves two numbers

drxx, I assume the wrong result is the fathers and the daughters is correct. If I add these the letters to be removed refer to an eight letter light. Is that correct?

It's a 9 letter light, gitto.

... I think you might be getting the wrong sum from a number mentioned in the wiki entry (the sum in the puzzle gives a different number).

So the wrong sum is 60% of a down answer?

That looks promising, gitto.

This has to be one of the most complicated preambles I've ever encountered! Anyway, before I attempt the endgame, can I get some clarity on a couple of clues ...

25a - Outsize kite design over in compounds (8)

My answer is "compounds" - I think the first 2 letters are "outsize" and "m.....s" goes around I(n) but how does "m.....s" come from "kit design" (assuming the E in kite is extra)?

3d - Old boy missing beat, lived say with falling Special’s crowds (7)

My answer means "crowds" but, I just can't see the wordplay or the extra letter - it looks like it must be S, V or W but the W is from the definition so I need that which just leaves S or V?

Hi Bren,
25a yes kit(e); os + (synonyms of kit + design) reversed. In, here is just a link.
3d li(v)ed; synonym of beat - ob + lied (German) for example with s (special) moving.