No. 3 Squadron prided itself on pressing home its strafing attacks during an attack on Jimma aerodrome, slightly more than a month after the Diredawa raid, Lieutenant Howitson performed the unlikely feat of sending two enemy aircraft up in flames by strafing them through the open doors of a hangar. Flying both Hurricanes and Gladiator Mk Is, and for a short time Curtiss Mohawk lVs, No. 3 Squadron fought all the way through Somaliland and Abyssinia, and by the end of 1941 had destroyed just over 100 Italian aircraft, two dozen in aerial combat and the rest by strafing. Its reward for this fine effort was a move to  Asmara, followed by disbandment. In December 1942 the squadron was re-formed in South Africa and sent to the Middle East. Equipped with the Hurricane lb and later the Hurricane Ic and Spitfire V, it marked time for a while as fighter defence for the port of Aden, which was no longer in any real danger, and later flew coastal patrols from North Africa.

In August 1944, however, it was re-equipped with Spitfire IXs, sent to Italy and ended up in the new SAAF No. 8 Wing, flying for a while under United States Army Air Force direction. Most of its operations were strafing sorties and by the end of the shooting in Europe, No. 3 Squadron had racked up 2 300 sorties in Italy for the loss of two pilots killed and three missing - its record being 54 sorties in one day. Disbanded at the end of the war, No. 3 Squadron was re-formed at the old Baragwanath Airport on September 6,1952, as a Citizen Force part-time unit flying Harvards, but fell under the axe again some seven years later.

In August 1966 No. 3 Squadron was re-formed at Waterkloof as a paper' unit under the control of No. 2 Squadron, its nucleus consisting of some Mirage IIIEZs from No. 2 Squadron. Squadron colours were awarded in February 1970 and the squadron was reactivated as an autonomous squadron in February 1975. No. 3 Squadron received its first Mirage F1CZs on April 4,1975, at Waterkloof. Its Mirage IIIEZs, DZs and D2Zs were passed on to No. 85 ADFS (Advanced Flying School). 

F1 CZ retirement:

Due to Defence cut-backs and the withdrawal of South Africa from Namibia/Angola the Mirage F1CZ was the first to "go".

This was largely due to rationalisation in the SAAF. Although at the time Sqdn serviceability was 100%, with all the CZs in perfect working order. All the aircraft had the latest systems fitted and completed all the latest maintenance routines. On the day that the Sqdn closed down the personnel of 3 Sqdn still ensured that all 12 remaining CZs were in perfect working order and ready to face any crisis in a moments notice. This dedication by the men and women of 3 Sqdn was in stark contrast to that of the politicians who had so readily used them in times of crisis. On 30 September 1992, 3 Sqdn held its final parade at AFB Waterkloof, what could only be described as an emotional experience. Waterkloof was home to the CZ sqdn throughout its career of 17 years with the SAAF. To acknowledge this fact and as a final farewell, the Sqdn flew an immaculate 9 ship fly past over the base. After landing the final parade was held. Then Maj Rudi Mes, Maj Jeronkie Venter, Capt Leon Meech-Noyes and Capt Pietie le Roux took off for a four ship flypast followed by a two versus two simulated ACM display. The ACM display was as a special tribute to the maintenance personnel, who in all the years never saw their beloved aircraft in action. After landing, the four aircraft taxied back to the readiness platform, where the other four aircraft were already waiting with engines turning. All aircraft taxied slowly back to 3 Sqdn's readiness platform, where they were lined up and dressed by the right, by the proud ground crew. All aircraft increased power to a deafening roar to kick up a storm of dust. With a radio call all pilots shut down their engines simultaneously. The silence was broken only by the ticking sound of the cooling metal. Cmdt Willie ("Skillie") Hartogh, the last OC of 3 Sqdn, then thundered into the area to begin his spectacular low level display. After landing he taxied back to park his aircraft right in front of the crowd of spectators. There was not a single dry eye amongst the crowd. Not even the hardened politician and Honorary Colonel of 3 Sqdn, Mr Pik Botha could hide the tears when he walked forward to present "Skillie" with an olive branch to acknowledge for the last time, the men of 3 Sqdn.

However, two F1CZs (no 205 & 209) remained flying in South Africa as flying test-beds for the V3S & V3P missiles and other systems. Although 3 Sqdn was closed in 1992, two F1 CZs remained flying for another 4 years for project purposes. This stretched the service of the CZ to 21 years as part of the SAAF. The last flights were flown in 1996. A final farewell function was held at AFB Waterkloof, on 27 March 1996, to pay tribute to this remarkable aircraft. Present at the function were the many of pilots and ground crew involved with the aircraft over the years. These included Maj Gen Bossie Huyser (ret), Maj Gen Chris Lombard, Brig Jack Grundling and Col Mitz Maritz. The four started the F1 chapter in the SAAF and it was only fitting that all four attended when the final chapter was written. As part of the function Maj Mike Edwards (in no 205) gave a brilliant low level display to be the last official flight as part of the SAAF. The next day Maj Mike Edwards flew the aircraft to DENEL for storage. There are currently no flyable F1 CZs left in South Africa. Although a few are on static display at various venues around South Africa. See Serial Numbers.

The last flight of the F1 CZ as part of the SAAF was flown on 27 March 1996.

Maj Mike Edwards after the last flight of the F1 CZ.

• Aircraft of the SAAF, H. Potgieter, W. Steenkamp
• Additional A. Dyason