The unclued lights display a common feature, different in each example. Elsewhere, ignore an apostrophe.

Across

1 Tracks birds (5)

4 Top gear when cornered? (6,3)

9 So democrat organised convoys (10)

11 Unfinished old sailing boat in Sri Lankan city (5)

12 Expert model offer (7)

14 Capable assistant at office? (5)

15 Some Tosca villain’s nitpicking complaint (5)

21 Too chill – put out waterproof material (8)

22 Top professional’s critique of performance before opening night (7)

24 Mark from outside edges of scimitar (4)

25 Foolish folk back hot-tubs (4)

27 Weather report? (7)

28 Ballerina’s stance performed stealthily (2,6)

34 Cooking range that’s popular once more (5)

35 Dance for priestess (5)

37 It’s too bad, tap isn’t broken! (4,3)

38 Storm (fittingly), over Reims area generally, expected to start (5)

39 Pachyderm caught iron horse, wandering (10)

40 Entrusted eastern member in outmoded surroundings (9)

41 Sign of tooth decay not initially comprehended (5)

Down

1 A putrid ghetto renovated, thus? (5,2-2-4)

5 Party leader’s inner strong desire (4)

6 Shady rings of shocking scarlet (7)

7 Could be part of greenhouse palm (5)

8 Seaman, vice and the drink! (8)

10 Furniture from Cardiff theatrical employees (5,8)

13 Samples periphery of the Italian city (7)

19 Company tried out explosive (7)

23 Frenchman’s run around with European traitor (8)

26 ‘Endurance’ wrecked mainmast, all but one metre (7)

32 Flexible willow twig will become dry right away (5)

36 Scotsman with oriental spice (4)

A first prize of £30 and two runners-up prizes of £20 for the first correct solutions opened on 27 March. Please scan or photograph entries and email them (including the crossword number in the subject field) to crosswords@spectator.co.uk, or post to: Crossword 2595, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery. The dictionary prize is not available at present.

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