I recently got AFV Club Churchill mk.III with 75mm gun (AF35S54). Did any of these particular vehicles see action at Russian service and if so, is there decals available? I really would like to build this dirty as they get with no fenders and with worn winter camo. Of course I could do it anyway as model in general but if anyone knows specific vehicle help would be appreciated, pictures are also welcomed.

Yeah, the Russians called them 'a coffin for 5 brothers', or something like that.

So I should paint it black and some decorative skulls maybe

Hi Tomi.
I just bought an Afv club Churchill 111 as well.Great minds think alike.Anyway yes the Russians used the 111 and 1v versions of the Churchill.A military modelling magazine special has a lovely build by Steve Zaloga of a winter whitewashed mark 111.If you need a scan copy then I would be happy to help!!.
Happy modelling from Richard

Here is my two cents on this matter from what little I've learned about this. Russians in WW2 used that expression for every single tank that they fielded in the war "metal coffin for _ brothers" depending on the number of crewmen that changed so for instance a T-34 was a 'metal coffin for 4 brothers' an M3 Lee was a 'metal coffin for seven brothers' etc...

I suspect that a lot has been lost in translation here, but my theory is that Russian infantry not unlike USMC and army ground troops in the WW2 had an unfavorable opinion of tanks and frequently spoke of them in a negative way. As with any weapon system that is new and revolutionary there is bound to be an adjustment period. The Tank in WW2 brought about more artillery so ground troops resented that and they also resented how the tankmen got to leave the frontlines to carry out maintenance on their vehicles.

Needless to say, I think as the war wore on ground troops began to accept and even depend on tanks. But that doesn't mean that the nicknames went away. For all we know it might have been a twisted 'term of endearment for tanks' in Russian military culture of the time.