1: Struggle with pieces of green apple (7)

5: Totally lacking a lofty plaything (3)

8: Like powerful uncle in Indian state? (5)

10: Makes teenagers unruly (9)

11: Survey mutants with missing shells for a possible cause of damage (9)

12: Each time, I lost message for Alice (3,2)

14: Small area of land for unchanging Chinese (5)

15: Southern duo, caught in act, gave up hope (9)

16: Couple gain control of schooner, for example (3-6)

19: Gutter seamstress (5)

20: Hand out Kleenex, wiping away a bit of tears (5)

21: Heater refueler brings in fire (3,6)

23: Cringingly escape around canopy (9)

25: Reel around in circles (5)

26: Feel sick from crack? (3)

27: Bud tore angrily into Thomas, for one (7)

1: Hold onto string and file (5)

2: Clearances for the first couple of characters to find answers. (11)

3: Where Handel wrote short measure on organ (7)

4: Fires possibly singe it (7)

5: 3-down said Sir, I have these! (5,4,4)

6: However, you expect trouble at first (3)

7: English poet holding us responsible for hold-up? (9)

9: Chewed-up gum in tater -- how toothsome (5-8)

13: Rejecting crew's work on board, you rest at the stern (8,3)

14: Applies root of turnips (4,2,3)

17: Half of them should have had an idea (7)

18: Genuine assistance for the auditor is passed on (7)

22: We hear actor Paul is one on the way up (5)

24: Clown with a tail. (3)