After the stopping of production in early 1942, the MiG-3 started to become rarer and rarer on operative units. On 1st May 1942 the VVS had 134 MiG-3s in its inventory, 75% of them combat able.
During the spring and summer, the MiG-3 was replaced by Yak-1and LaGG-3 in most units; many of remaining MiG-3s were delivered to the 122 IAP commanded by Major G Bayandin. This unit continued to fly MiG-3s until the spring 1943, when they were completely outclassed by the FW-190A of Jagdgeschwader 51.

During 1942 and 1943 the MiG-3 operated mainly in Air Defence Units, where they fought against high altitude German bombers and reconaissance plane up to an altitude of 11,000 m, but they were unsufficient against Ju-86 P and R, able of a ceiling of more than 12,000 m.

This photo shows a green and black camouflaged aircraft belonging to 8 IAP VVS Chf, Black Sea 1942. Note the rare starter attachment on the spinner. from OKB MiG

A MiG-3 of  2 GSAP/VVS-SF at Vayenga airport in 1942.
Only four MiGs survived at the beginning of 1942, and only one was lost during 1942, set on fire after landing because of combat damages.
The remaining 3 MiGs were transferred to 255 IAP/VVS-SF where they remained in hardly serviceable conditions until mid 1943, when they were transferred ot the VVS-TOF, the Soviet Pacific Fleet, putting an end to MiG-3 service  in VVS-SF.
Particularly noticeable are the Lapps with their reindeer helping the VVS ground crew. Sleighs were used on the unsnowed ground too. The objects on the canisters look like bombs, probably for bombers SB that were in the 72 SAP; this SAP got Pe-2 as well since July 1942.
The photo was colorized by the author.
 

Note the Spitfire-like camo scheme on the wings; this style seems to be rare on photos, forthemost the bands had a longitudinal shape.

This aircraft is from the 7 IAP near Leningrad in 1942.  This aircraft was flown without the canopy, and has an unusual camouflage. from Air International

 

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