Sadly my friend, inventing things and being good and up to date at it is not exactly the same thing.
I know Brits have invented almost everything in this world, and surely you could be easily able to build a modern fighter, or catapults etc... by yourselves.
It is maybe just a fact that you simply cannot do it. Can/could, it's maybe more than a language subtility.
Keep thinking you could be great and independant, it will make the situation more bearable!
Sorry if a bit rough
but I re-read your post 4 times, it's just in the past with all the empires.