The Sunday Crossword (2873), Sunday 27 Dec 2015

ACROSS
1   Protective covering quickly attached to vehicle (8) CARAPACE {CAR}{APACE}
5   Problem created by show-off (5) POSER [DD]
9   Set out east and cross level area (7) EXPLAIN {E}{X}{PLAIN}
10 Spoke angrily, having become influenced (7) GROWLED {GROW}{LED}
11 Conclusion of prayer almost correct (4) AMEN AMENd
12 Unwarranted disorder of August riot (10) GRATUITOUS*
14 Brilliant and smart, securing century, batting until middle of day (13) SCINTILLATING {S{C}{IN}{TILL}{dAy}TING}
17 Book following mad hero's search involving old sea creature (9,4) HORSESHOE CRAB {B} after {HERO'S+SEARCH+O}*

19 Cartoon clowns stumble (5,5) COMIC STRIP {COMIC S}{TRIP}
21 Gain diamonds in turn (4) WIND {WIN}{D}
23 Note start of tour through north of Baltic state (7) LATVIAN {LA}{Tour}{VIA}{N}
24 Secure, holding nerve about cultivation (7) TILLAGE {TI{LLAG<=}E}
25 Abrupt arbiter settled cases (5) TERSE [T]
26 Evocative colour Oscar supplied (8) REDOLENT {RED}{O}{LENT}

DOWN
1   Concern initially about vessel containing small crack (8) CREVASSE {Co...n}{RE}{VAS{S}E}
2   Supply assistant, admitting offence, completely upset (9) REPLENISH {REPLE{NIS}H}<=
3   Put under pressure in drama (4) PLAY {P}{LAY}
4   Strange change in latter system keeping place warm (7,7) CENTRAL HEATING*
5   Forbidden expert, disguised, grabbing snack (10) PROHIBITED {PRO}{HI{BITE}D}
6   Barrage of colossal volume (5) SALVO [T]
7   Ingredient of salad presented by artist on plate (6) RADISH {RA}{DISH}

8   Crime writer's novel has tragic hate consuming one (6,8) AGATHA CHRISTIE {1} in {HAS+TRAGIC+HATE}*
13 Pretty busy after a dry run (10) ATTRACTIVE {A}{TT}{R}{ACTIVE}
15 Airmen get trained and develop (9) GERMINATE*
16 Base that is held by criminal not yielding (8) OBEDIENT {BED}{IE} in {NOT}*
18 Carve stone inlaid with copper disc (6) SCULPT {S{CU}{LP}T}
20 Drive miles round hill (5) MOTOR {M}{O}{TOR}
22 Fables not without odd features too (4) ALSO {fAbLeS}{nOt}

GRID