All but one of the unclued lights can be preceded by the same word, large or small. Solvers are requested to highlight the other thematic solution which does not follow this pattern. Brewer confirms the theme.
Across
3 Acrylic pot he refashioned in copper and iron compound (12)
11 33 returning after the usual time (4)
12 Accountant’s car by hill (7)
16 Educated, but lacking a CD for reviewing piece of music (5)
18 Not much life in a cell? (6)
20 Grim heartless Ron set out first (5)
23 Sleep in it, though it’s really not fitting (5)
25 Record gold obstacle as US ornament (7)
26 Another gust disturbed fern (11, hyphened)
27 Use silly leg off in ingenuous fashion (11)
30 Picked out faults in clumsy gelding (7)
31 Rod gave address (5)
33 Some metallurgists along with others (4, two words)
36 Workers’ protest, a hit (6)
38 Smoke, being sad about losing time (5)
41 Farm workers not quiet for ages (4)
42 Diplomat in the morning gets singer a gown (12)
Down
1 Passing by ships in Gateshead Head (12)
4 Position of pride, but not for a golfer (6, two words)
5 Wanting kiss, with no right seize girl (4)
6 Vessel easier to carry (7)
7 In joint manner compiled first and last of song (11)
8 America has vessel outside a port in Korea, once (5)
9 Coal-fired device Alec abandoned and got this unburdened (5, two words)
10 Big bell (Ben, originally) on grave (4)
15 Salome’s crest adapted as crusading symbol (12, two words)
17 Compelled to work in the newspaper industry? (11, hyphened)
21 Lagos reformed prisons (5)
24 Said to be stories of some weight in China (5)
28 Kentish doctor’s comparatively established (7)
29 Republic or kingdom to rule over, we hear (7)
32 Afterthought to cage horse and lions (6)
34 Girl raising a d-duck? (5)
35 Tolerates closing time in saloons (5)
37 Get ready to sail from dock (4)
A first prize of £30 for the first correct solution opened on 15 August. There are two runners-up prizes of £20. (UK solvers can choose to receive the latest edition of the Chambers dictionary instead of cash — ring the word ‘dictionary’.) Entries to: Crossword 2271, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery.