Double Crossword

Cryptic puzzle

Across

1. They make rings round ships’ instruments (9)

8. Any instrumental recital shows this, initially (3)

9. But these soldiers were not associated with Hurricanes or Tornadoes! (5-6)

11. Kept turning to the other way in trade arrangement (7)

12. See 21 Down

13. It’s hot and spicy, but sounding just the opposite! (6)

15. The terror of being right in the battle (6)

17. Five were still in debt, but made a solemn promise (5)

18. Agreement for tailless aircraft (7)

20. Bill will be operating again as a result of this (2-9)

22. Letter, we hear, more than a yard long (3)

23. Give us notes to arrange in a sustained way (9)

Down

2 And 10 Down. Amazing position of the astronaut! (3,2,4,5)

3. Let in to make a confession (5)

4. The pace for street journey by car (6)

5. He obstructs one found in a bottle-neck (7)

6. Does it finally decide who gets the part? (7-4)

7. A scheme the editor put on the screen (9)

10. See 2 Down

11. Got better insurance protection in a rush (9)

14. Fifty computers used by men who want to get a rise! (7)

16. Fights for the remnants (6)

19. As part of the solution it reactivated a chemical (5)

21 And 12 Across. The clear rate for fishing equipment? (3,5)

Quick puzzle

Across

1. Helper (9)

8. Transgress (3)

9. Unprotected (11)

11. Dark (7)

12. Dish (5)

13. Pass (6)

15. Gadget (6)

17. Of them (5)

18. Elucidate (7)

20. Inconsiderate (11)

22. Meadow (3)

23. Content (9)

Down

2. Take to court (3)

3. Because (5)

4. Disinclined (6)

5. Quiver (7)

6. Murder (11)

7. Indifference (9)

10. Rudimentary (11)

11. Sight (9)

14. Grave (7)

16. Loftiness (6)

19. Ways (5)

21. Observe (3)

Friday’s solutions

CRYPTIC - Across: 1 Weather-board; 7 Sedan; 8 Tenon; 9 Era; 10 Stop press; 11 London; 12 Demand; 15 White lead; 17 Lid; 18 Nyasa; 19 Apart; 21 Sealed orders.

QUICK - Across: 1 Inexperience; 7 Strip; 8 Feign; 9 Mar; 10 Associate; 11 Entice; 12 Dispel; 15 Eliminate; 17 Rug; 18 Close; 19 Trail; 21 Mysteriously.

Down: 1 Incompetence; 2 Par; 3 Repose; 4 Effective; 5 China; 6 Intelligibly; 7 Strut; 10 Architect; 13 Peril; 14 Falter; 16 Irony; 20 Ado.