Thread:SpoonyBard284/@comment-35168953-20181028020137/@comment-34517845-20181030223150

In WWII, the gun breach was exposed, which would be dangerous for an autoloader. The ammo would be also be stored on the sides, which would be often shot at and exposed from the inside.

Today, the crew members are given space and the breech is most likely covered, while not hindering reload. The ammo storagr is also placed in the rear, covered with armored doors and walls. The top panels over the ammo protected from top attacks, but where less resistant. These were known as blow-out panels, which in an event of a ammo explosion, most of the gases and shockwave would burst through the panels, saving the crew in most cases.

The M1 Abrams, has a special ammo storage, stored in the rear. The door is mechanicly powered. Whenever the loader opens it to get another round, the door stays open just long enough to allow a round to be taken and loaded into the gun breech. It then closes to prevent a explosion that would kill the crew. In a event of the explosion, blow out panels on the top would burst and direct the gases away from the turret, while the armored ammo stowage walls and door protects the crew.

Interestingly, it also saves tank size and weight.