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Strictly scientifically speaking the answer to 1ac is not a drink "warmer" but warmth is involved.

Roof, I'm sure you'll "nail" down 14 soon...😉

Thanks Geeker

I did. And so I finished. Though I agree the answer to 1ac is not strictly speaking a drink warmer.

FOI was 18d after a hint in the thread helped me get it. LOI was 1ac and 4d, both difficult I thought.

My CODs were 29ac and 21d. I'm still not sure about 1ac, 5ac, 16ac, 28ac. I have no idea why 8d is right or if it is right. So, a not very satisfactory solving. But many thanks to forum members for helping me achieve what, initially, I thought was impossible.

I struggled to parse 8d too. Eventually I saw that it's "duck", then "before" inside a type of barrel. Not a good clue (again).

I'm not sure if I'l attempt another Paul - he irritates rather more than satisfies.

Oh dear. I have found this really difficult. Not helped by my ignorance of popular culture since about the early 70s. For example, I knew that 26 was a 27 but not that it was a 10 27, and I'd never even heard of 11. I have the answer to 15, I'm sure, but I don't understand why. What's the light aircraft? There are also two clues which I haven't solved: 5a & 6d. Gentle hints would be welcome. FOI 2d, which was one of very few clues which I found perfectly easy. None of them appeals to me enough to merit the title COD.

Is 6d a homophone clue?

By the way, on the controversy over 3d & 17a, it has to be the anagram solution, because that way both clues do actually make sense, even if they are rather weak, whereas the other solution (involving a colour) makes no sense whatever of lips and shut up, as far as I can see, nor does "another" seem to mean anything.

My feelings too Chrise , he may be approaching Araucaria’s record but he rarely gives me the pleasure or satisfaction I got from the master’s crosswords.

micky, the light aircraft is the name of a US corporation (6 letters) that manufactures a lot of small / personal / private planes and is sometimes used almost in a generic sense.

Finally finished this. I thought it was going to be easier than usual as I got 1 across on the first read through. How wrong I was. As always the tips and hints were very helpful.