The Sunday Crossword No 3039, Sunday 17 Mar 2019

ACROSS
1   Nervous about meal, lieutenant being secretive (8) STEALTHY {S{TEA}{LT}HY}
5   Brief batting class (6) INFORM {IN}{FORM}
9   Keep going, having advertised with energy in press (7,2) SOLDIER ON {SOLD}{I{E}RON}
11 Pick up large gain (5) LEARN {L}{EARN}
12 Cyclist in good spirits after support, widely distributed (7,7) BRADLEY WIGGINS {BRA}{WIDELY*}{G}{GINS}
14 Imperfection in emblem is horrible (7) BLEMISH [T]
16 Start broadcast outside (4-3) OPEN-AIR {OPEN}{AIR}
17 Answer quietly followed by sailor in ceremony (7) RIPOSTE {RI{P}{OS}TE}
19 Suspense in revolutionary drama is clear (7) TENSION {NO}{IS}{NET}<=
21 Straight line dividing facts he mixed with falsehoods (2,3,4,5) AS THE CROW FLIES {ROW} in {FACTS+HA}*  with {LIES}
24 Clumsy in enclosure, reversing into it (5) INEPT {I{PEN<=}T}
25 Airman, in poem, endlessly against ace in battle (9) BALACLAVA {BAL{AC}LAd}{V}{A}
26 Kind disposition (6) NATURE [DD]
27 Given agreement when dispatched by editor (8) ASSENTED {AS}{SENT}{ED}

DOWN
1   Appeal for help, nothing being tolerable (2-2) SO-SO {SOS}{O}
2   Stretch leg near ground (7) ENLARGE*
3   Landowner in retreat supported by daughter (5) LAIRD {LAIR}{D}
4   Marine creature found in bay, possibly on small beach, or swimming (9,4) HORSESHOE CRAB {HORSE}{S}{BEACH+OR}*

6   Pale colour of knight, one with hesitation rising in unfinished story (4,5) NILE GREEN {N}{1}{LEG{ER<=}ENd}
7   Company coming up with song involving new instrument (7) OCARINA {CO<=}{ARI{N}A}
8   Doctor in Rome sent for soup (10) MINESTRONE*

10 State information available on hot drinks, carrying weight (3,5,5) NEW SOUTH WALES {NEWS}{OUT}{H}{W}{ALES}
13 Be gripped by storytelling, ignoring initial irregularity (10) ABERRATION {nA{BE}RRATION}
15 Prices not adjusted for auditor (9) INSPECTOR*
18 Uncomplaining, long accepting obligation (7) PATIENT {PA{TIE}NT}
20 One following absorbing account, not precisely correct (7) INEXACT {1}{NEX{AC}T}
22 Enticement to possess constant wealth (5) LUCRE {LU{C}RE}
23 Reported forbidden gang (4) BAND (~banned)