Crossword Genius

Condition of tank perhaps after attack from the air (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rusted

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'after attack from the air' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'condition of tank' is the wordplay.
'condition' becomes 'rust' (rust is a kind of condition).
'of tank' becomes 'ed' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'rust'+'ed'='RUSTED'

'perhaps' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rusted that I've seen before include "Corroded" , "(Of iron) oxidised" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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