The IIIF entered service with the RAF in Egypt and with Fleet Air Arm Catapult flights in 1927,[17][18] and with the Royal New Zealand Air Force shortly after. The RAF used the IIIF to equip general-purpose squadrons in Egypt, Sudan, Aden and Jordan, where its ability to operate from both wheels and floats proved useful, while the contemporary Westland Wapiti carried out similar roles in Iraq and India.[19] As such IIIFs were used for colonial policing as well as taking part in further long distance flights.