Soviet tank crew survival.

[JaM]

Becouse T-72 has really small internal volume, much lower than t-55 or t-62.So there is much bigger propability that penetrating hit will hit something important and cause catastrophic kill. I saw many pictures with turret off T-72,but only a few with T-55 or T-62.Western tanks, even older are much more survivable. I read in one book about IDF (Chariots of the Desert) that Centurions had quite good survivability, some tanks took over 40 hits from RPGs,100mm AP,HEAT, Sagers and they were still capable to fight back. For T-72 you need one penetrating hit and you will loose turret with all crew inside. It is a design flaw. Soviets knew that.They did it, becouse they want a low profile tank with big firepower.THat is why today they develope new turret for T-72/80 series with autoloader in rear turret with blowout panels similar to M1.