Its funny because one of the best changes between the T-34 and the T-34-85 besides the larger turret and addition of a dedicated gunner was that they changed the top hatch from a single hatch to a double hatch.
Also interesting to note that Soviet Tank Commanders were trained to fight in their other tanks with their head out, it gave them better visability. The T-34 was designed with the idea of the commander being buttoned up inside, but the optics of the T-34 weren't very good and aiming was difficult.
The Soviets designed some really exceptional tanks with some really poor design decisions. In the T-72 they introduced an auto loader but it was clunky and slow but saved room by removing a crew member. Also the fuel line for the tank went around the ring where the turret connected with the body which created the spectacular launches of the turret when the tank was hit.
Also because of their desire to build a low profile tank, crew members were under a height restriction.
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My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
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