Lauchert's Panzer Brigade at Kursk was equipped with early versions of the Panther.
My understanding is that the early model panthers they did have at Kursk were such a maintenance nightmare that they had no effect. More of them would not have helped until the teething problems were resolved.
Indeed. Hitler even delayed the start of the offensive so the 200 Panthers then available could reach the marshalling area. At which time it was found that only about one company's worth [circa 40 tanks] were combat ready by 06 July, the others out of service due to fuel system failures and other mechanical failures. It was expected these would be cannibalized and brought up to running condition to be used as replacements for combat losses and would join the understrength *brigade.* Unfortunately the unit got stuck in a minefield near Dubrova on )7 July. The minefield was covered by well dug-in and camouflaged T-34 and AT-guns and most of the 20-30 operational Panthers that had survived to become stuck in the minefield were knocked out, but mostly due to mine damage, not AT gunfire.
Most of the unit's Panthers, still not yet combat servicable, were withdrawn by rail, shipped home for rebuild, and eventually utilized more effectively in Italy or France. t should be noted that of the 200 panthers only 40 were combat ready at nightfall on july 6th. The vast majority lost due to leaking fuel systems, overheated engines and other mechanical problems. Most of these tanks could be repaired and would reenater combat later. So it is quite unfair to blame Von Strachwitz for these losses as was not even in command at the time(!). He was however partly responsible for the way the brigade got stuck in minefield near Dubrova on july 7th. The minefield was covered by well dug-in and camouflaged T-34 and AT-guns and most of the 20-30 Panthers that got stuck in the minefield was knocked out. However the rest of the brigade regrouped and taking full advantage of their superior armour and firepower they simpley blew apart the soviet defences destroying some 30 tanks and a large number of at-guns. After this pyrrhic victory the performance of the Panther units improved steadily throught remaineder of the battle and the Panthers proved highly effective in combat.