Only in combat right?  They do make you close faster on AI ships in battle, but more than one is really needed and is it worth the mass vs more armor or guns? IMO no.  Really only for use on ships with short range weapons but i think they also slightly increase the probability of an AI miss.

You can see this by making a fleet, 1/2 with thrustors and half without.  and watch the battle

Thrusters will not effect WHY the ships are attacking ship A not Ship B.  It make the shik close the ramge faster.  take 2 battleships with kinetics, put 2 thrusters on one of them. If you fight say 2 ships with missiles, both of you ships will be in their range almost from the start, so either or both could be fired at.  The ship with thrusters should be able to close the rage and start firing before the second salvo where as the one without will not.

No idea, Paul even did not know when asked

They don't. It is clear if you look at the XML that all they do is increase in-combat speed and acceleration.

IIRC his is what paul said would have a small impact.  I Never tested it though

O no not carrier discussion again... just kidding

good idea, think i'll try that in my next game

Tried couple of ships with 100+ speed. Didn't seem to have any effect on how enemies miss. They only got close very quickly and flew around very fast.

Also it affects how close to enemy ships are in beginning. Fast capital ships are much in front of normal capitals. Fast assault ships start in front of enemies.

Could make sense on large kinetic ships, when you get choice between 2x-3x speed vs 10% increase in firepower. Extra salvo in the beginning could change the battle. Especially against enemy with very long range missiles.

That is why you would use Thrusters on ships with short range and not your missile boats.  You want the missile boats hanging back and launching long range missiles while your kinetic weapon ships rush in to hold them off.  I use thrusters, especially on my kinetic weapon ships and it definately helps if you utilize your ship roles and strategy for them.

Ah. I've never used kinetics beyond burning up some Durantium by putting in a prototype driver. I can see that thrusters have a use there.

... and you can put them on a cargo hull together with some durantium hull reinforcements and defences