I notice that on most scale models of the M113 ACAV, the commander’s machine-gun shield extends over the driver’s hatch, making this impossible to open with the gun pointing forwards. Is this correct? Paul
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I guess so…
H.P.
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The hatch will usually be locked in the open or shut position anyways. Most frequently it is locked open. It’s never left free swinging as that will bash the driver over the top of his head at an inopportune moment… lets just that say I learned that lesson the hard way
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Additionally, the TC’s turret rotates 360 degrees in both directions, so it is not always directly forward, and it can be rotated out of the way at any time. Or just turn the gunshield to the side so the hatch clears.
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In a no $h!+ unass the vehicle situation, the driver can easily just exit one of the many other egress points as well.
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I’m glad I was mechanized for only one week. 
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Most lessons are learned that way.
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That reminds me of a conversation I once had with another modeller, about the turret hatch on the Covenanter and Crusader I and II:
I mentioned it seems like a good idea to have a hatch that slides rearward horizontally: easier to open and close than one that has to be pivoted on a hinge, and not as conspicuous as one of those, either. So why didn’t they use this more? He replied, “But remember, the catch that holds that hatch open is also of British design” 
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Hard bangs will undo any hatch latch. I got popped in the head by a loaders hatch on a M60A3 which had the locking latch frozen. Thankfully I had my CVC on.
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I caught a faulty drivers hatch on an M88 across the mid back and got slammed into the front edge of the hole with my ribs. Luckly I’m a fat dude and just felt squished. It could have been a lot worse.
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The Aussies modified the hatch on their FSVs
H.P.
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Indeed. We used to use cargo straps or 550 cord to give a secondary hatch open lock. At places like NTC it was quite necessary.
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Yes ours were strapped down too.
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ours all were fitted with the hatch lock that you could fit a safety pin through to stop it unlocking, while on exchange in Aussie we did a bug out, and our driver lost 6 top and 5 1/2 bottom teeth because he did not make sure it was locked in and the pin fitted. i dare say he never did that again. the safety pin has a spring loaded unlock button in the middle of the T handle at the end to release it
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