FT/MT vs FB

I won a set of FT rules at a gameday a month ago. Picked up a healthy
batch
of miniatures at reasonable prices too. Mostly NSL with some FSE. Now,
that
I've read the rules I realize there's no stats. Many of the weapons that
I've seen discussed while I lurk don't appear in here either. I figured
they were in MT cause I've seen it around.

But.... I was looking at the FB page on GeoHex's site and it gives the
impression of being a rules compilation/update with (for lack of a
better
term) SSD's.

Could someone in the know please elaborate for me? Is it worth it to go
get
MT if I should really just be getting the FB's? 

Also, was examining the larger of the NSL ships I picked up. The section
of
superstructure that connects the engine array to the command section
appears to be missing a bunch of detail. There's a large fissure beneath
this lack of detail that makes it look like the piece will split. The
dealer was clearing the mini's out so I can't return or exchange. Does
anyone have a suggestion or idea what to do with this defective segment?

With regards to the fleets... Do people tend to pick a fleet and play it
per doctrine or do they use the mini's and design their own stats? I
like
some mini's from this fleet and some from that one. The fleet (as a
whole)
that I like the looks of the best
is FSE but it's weapons loadout doesn't favor what I perceive to be my
style of play.
Where would I find descriptions of the loadouts favoured by each of the
'Powers' and their usual tactics?

So, pardon the length of my message and thanks for any info you can
impart.
Happy New Year to all!

Mark