PA System by Kruger



Three unclued entries (A, B and C) share a common theme. Each of these has three other unclued entries that can be connected with them in a consistent way. Wordplay in every clue yields an extra letter not entered into the grid and, in clue order, these describe the nature of these connections.

Across
1  Connection A2  (8)
 7  Connection A3  (5)
11  To a certain degree, Mowgli wasted tissue  (4)
12  Ah! Half of apothecaries cured ulcerations  (7)
13  In a peculiar way, question Irish rake regularly at Yard  (6)
15  B  (4)
16  Connection A1  (6)
17  Ancient script led Brian astray  (7, 2 words)
20  Person backing golfer to drive off  (5)
23  Philosophical activist oddly agog - not very composed  (8)
24  Flag almost borne by great bird  (6)
25  Will’s to defile slave about to escape to Carolina  (6)
28  Surprisingly agree with rude French inventor  (8)
31  A  (5)
33  Idiot conceals first of notes concerning Potter  (7)
34  Small people in Glasgow grimace about drunkards? On the contrary  (6)
37  Starts to supply arms to fool. Let’s see some action!  (4, 2 words)
38  C  (6)
39  Drinks, say, going free – one given away to sister  (7)
40  With rows in river returned to source of Yangtze  (4)
41  Rule when consul general is in control  (5)
42  Captain Flint and Marley, perhaps not completely safe, mean to change sides at last  (8, 2 words)
Down
2  You, we hear, distil fluid for inflammation  (6)
 3  One in house feeding waste to cattle being raised  (7)
 4  Connection C2  (7)
 5  With crown admitting mistake, made long speech  (9)
 6  To take a holiday from Newcastle, use keel circumnavigating Australia  (4)
 7  In Holyrood, where is whip and under-secretary entertaining republican?  (6)
 8  I disperse upset couple  (4)
 9  Old porter from Edinburgh in each barrel at first  (5)
10  Listen to mostly inferior rector  (4)
11  It could help you see hoax but not grand trickery  (8)
14  West of Indonesia, heartless Pommies slaughtered native warriors  (6)
18  Connection B3  (5)
19  Governing minister misinterpreted Rio charter  (9)
21  Connection B2  (8)
22  European bishop, say, retired on account of American’s charm  (6)
26  Connection B1  (7)
27  Saltwort additionally eaten by female alone  (7)
29  At one time, burning desire to land on island not accepted  (6)
30  Function at home in quiet road  (6)
32  Connection C3  (5)
34  Around the middle of September, Rose lost about 2 lbs  (4)
35  Connection C1  (4)
36  Learned we crossed over Wisconsin  (4)
To enter this competition, send your entry as an image or in list format, to quiz.man@ntlworld.com before the 8th August 2014. The first correct entry drawn from the hat will receive a book from the Chambers range which has been donated by Chambers.