ACROSS
 7. <forced> DRAGOONED = DRAG O + ONE _D
 9. _A NIL outside V = ANVIL <heavy metal block>
11. <Red Cross hero> SAINT GEORGE = SEGREGATION*
12. LOT[-h] = LOT <chance>
13. <gem> PEARL = _R inside PEAL
14. <just about coped> SCRAPED BY = S CRAP BED* + _Y
16. <obscure> UNKNOWN = (.d)UNK NOW N(o.)
17. <car> PORSCHE = P + SCH inside ORE
19. CON TENDER = CONTENDER <opponent>
21. <ally> CRONY = [-a]CRONY[-m]
23. <unimpressive> MID = ←DIM←
24. <flightless birds> CASSOWARIES = C AS SOW + ARIES
26. _N ←SEMI← = NÎMES <French city>
27. <pride> ARROGANCE = (ORANGE CAR)*

DOWN
 1. <tots> ADDS UP = A DUP outside DS
 2. <john> PORTALOO = PORT ALOO
 3. (ON SUDANESE)* = UNSEASONED <plain>
 4. ←RED O← = ODER <Wrocław banker>
 5. MAD EU P = MADE UP <reconciled>
 6. FL TREATY* = FLAT TYRE <problem for motorist?>
 8. <taxonomic group> ANIMAL KINGDOM = AN I MALKIN G_D O_M
10. A LED inside VICTORIAN = VALEDICTORIAN <student leaving US school>
15. <material> REPERTOIRE = RE PER TIRE outside O_
16. <imminent> UPCOMING = COUP* MING
18. <power again> RECHARGE = (HER GRACE)*
20. <forgive> EXCUSE = EX + CURSE - R
22. S inside YEMEN = YES-MEN <sycophants>
25. <line on clothing> SEAM = "SEEM"