In the original design of the Tiger, the engine hatch could be opened while the turret was facing in almost any forwards direction. As this diagram shows, the hatch would collide with the pistol ports if the turret was near the 45 degree positions. But there were no other obstacles on the turret rear.
Storage bins of various shapes were soon added to the turret rear, eventually superceded by a standard bin in January 1943 [1] . With a bin fitted, the turret had to be turned to one side before the engine hatch could be opened. The addition of an escape hatch to the turret rear introduced another obstacle.
Removing the stowage bin was not helpful, because two supporting arms were welded to the turret.
Around April 1943, track link holders were added to both turret sides. 5 holders were fitted on the left side of the turret. A photograph [1] shows a turret carrying 4 holders on the right-hand side. But this turret must have been a mockup. It would prevent opening the engine hatch at all.
Production turrets were therefore shipped with only 3 holders on the right side. This still caused problems, and the number of holders on the right side was soon reduced to 2.
This diagram shows a turret with 2 holders. Because of the escape hatch, the turret must be turned at least 64 degrees to the right before the engine hatch can be opened. The diagram shows the turret at 64 degrees. As you can see on the diagram, the rearmost spare track link must be removed to open the hatch.
The turret can be turned about 8 degrees more before the rearmost track link holder will interfere with the hatch.
This photo shows the front of a Tiger's engine compartment. The engine hatch has been opened. The turret, which has 2 track link holders, is turned as described above.
This is the same tank seen from above.
[1] DW to Tiger 1