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Today's MBTs generally store the main gun ammunition in the turret bustle that overhangs the rear hull. Two benefits are that the ammunition is easily accessed in all aspects of turret rotation (vs. ammo located throughout hull, under the basket, beside driver, in the sponsons, etc.) thus improving ROF; and that blow out panels on the bustle roof combined with a blast resistant access door for the loader can enable the crew to survive a main magazine explosion.

Why wasn't this done, at least for the first reason, with WW2 tanks? Sure some tanks had a few ready rounds in the bustle, but I'm referring to ALL the rounds in the bustle, behind a blast door.
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