Ah yes I had forgotten that early version
Some aspects of it where quite good, but then again it is probably the fact that the current 2D one isn't yet completely developed.
This is an area where I would like to help, though time is a scarce commodity for me. You might know I did my own GUI for SH3 years ago, and I am a devoted fan of manual targetting, so I could maybe do some suggestions and artwork concept for you to check. Most important thing would be first of all to know what base controls and extra (enabled on command) panels you want to have.
I believe the most intuitive layout is what they actually had in real life i.e. center of screen is the view to the external world, center top of it the bearing indicators, center bottom the operating knobs and readout for the rangefinder. Then you can add to the left and right the extra panels -activated on command- for radar, computer and gunnery control (Turrets and fire buttons).