Azed

[mra1]

Brain totally scrambled over the last 4 viz 20D Moths can end up on clothes finallhy T?NE?DS: 25D what tex critics argue over the veteran campaigners ?WARRE: 24 across Model of Austin first scrapped like former brands? ?N??T: 4D extinct sea creature , form of thin ray RH?TIYA - looks like it should be an anagram which would make the third letter N but cannot find anything like this in Chambers!!

[Captain2]

20 Tineids

[Captain2]

can= TIN + EID (die = end up)+ (clothe)S

[mra1]

Many thanks for that - makes 24 A INE??T

[Captain2]

Rhytina

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steller%27s_sea_cow

[mra1]

Thank you. I had the Y at the last but one for decoY (lure for angler in Dee age about five which is now DE?OM??????

[mra1]

er that should read DE?ON

[Captain2]

D-e-v-on (Dee = D + EON (age) about V (five)

[nescio]

mra
the angling lure is DEVON (short for Devon minnow)

[Captain2]

25d Am I reading it correctly? (6) ?WARRE

[Spoffy]

See here for 25d:

https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Quizzes-and-Puzzles/Crosswords/Question1589322.html

[Captain2]

Thanks Spoffy (so TexT - not Tex)

[Captain2]

.... and (7) not what looks like (6)

[Captain2]

Must ask now, what letters are there for 24a?

[mra1]

Thanks very much 24 across letters are IN?ST

[mra1]

regarding 25 down I did indeed put?WARRE - my mistake in thinking that veteran was some reference to warrior - many apologies for the confusion - I should have left it blank!

[mra1]

By the way many thanks Nescio - have just spotted your illuminative post!

[mra1]

Have just worked 24 across out - take off A and it works out as INUST an old word for burnt out! Thanks to all my assistants

[Mamyalynne]

24 Inust

Austin minus first letter,anag

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/inust

[Captain2]

Arrrh, I'd JUST spotted that Mamya - well done.