[I'm goin' down]

Uoading of screenshots turned into a disaster. I quit trying.

Here is an update. I figured out the 3D TDC target course setting protocol. In determining a target's course I do not know why one would fiddle with the target dial on the upper left of the 3D TDC by dragging the white triangle to match its plotted course. That dial appears useless when initially inputting a target's course. The dial that initially affects the target's course is the target dial on the upper RIGHT of the 3D TDC. That is what worked for me. First, I open the stadimeter to the Aob dial. Second, I open the 3D TDC and set the target's course via the target dial on the upper RIGHT. Third, I open the the stadimeter's Aob dial and send the target's course to the TDC. Fourth, I open the 3D TDC to verify it has accepted the data re the course change. If the course change has been accepted, the target dial on the upper left on the 3D TDC snaps to the new course. If this procedure is correct, then I have solved the target course problem I was having. I used this procedure to sink the slow target in the the third training mission.

Here are some other questions and comments.

First, in Channing's tutorial he notes that after plotting 3 or 4 entries one has determined the target's preliminary range, course and speed. Actually, you one has not determined preliminary speed. One has determined preliminary range and course only. I think the comment re speed is a mistake.

Second, what is the point of turning the radar off. Two times in the tutorial, the reader is instructed to turn radar off. His initial instructions notes that turning of radar is an important step. I do not understand why or the importance of doing so. It this instruction necessary or important?

Third, and this is a major question. The tutorial instructs the reader to set speed via the 3 minute rule. This is a pain the ass, and using the stop watch in combo with range/bearing readings is not precise because you are taking a range and bearing, starting the watch, switching screens to plot, switiiching screens to send the range, and at the end of three minutes, doing it again. Question No. 3: Why can't the reader rely on the watch button on the stadimeter speed dial, take two range and bearing readings, and rely the radarman's calculation of speed? I believe URGE or Hitman noted that this was an alternative. I would save time and needless plotting.

Once the TDC is in operation, one can verify if the course is accurate on the Attack Map. If it appears inaccurate, additional range and bearing readings will assist in providing correct information. If range is the only issue, one can adjust it via the range dial on the stadimeter.

I note that I missed six shots at the second tanker in the Mission 3 tutorial (the one approaching from 70 degrees starboard), but not by much. The tanker approached fairly quickly, and I was compelled to turn my boat 90 degrees to starboard to have a better (but not great) angle for an attack. I measured the tanker's speed at 14.25 kts. which was probably too slow. Its course was 220 degrees which appeared fairly accurate. The shots missed aft of the tanker by a few hundred yds. The problem here was the closing speed of the tanker, as it was passing my boat before I had a completed the set up. If I had spotted it at 20K yds. rather tan 12K yds., I might have fared better. Comments are appreciated.

I had map contacts on during this exercise, but my range and bearing for both tankers (the slow and faster one) we accurate. I simply had more time to set up for the slower target, plus I used the speed announced by the radarman for the slower target and I used the 3 minute speed rule for the faster one.