...which by the way the Brits had much input into as far as the design of the auto-flight system was concerned,
Urban legend, Old Fella, nothing more.
Now, as to the Brits and the L1011 are concerned...it's not the individuals themselves, it clearly is the (for want of a better term) organizations.
Cathay Pacific did just fine with the L1011, in actual fact, they made huge profits with the airplane, just as Delta...and many other aircarriers did.
However, strangely enough, BA (in the past) and the RAF (now) just simply seem to be unable to keep the airplane going...and yet, many other airlines could, and in fact made handsome profits with the specific airplane.
Therefore, we must look at the absolute failure of the Brit 'organizations' to cut the mustard.
A fine how-do-you-do, wouldn't you say?
The Brits invented the jet engine, and RADAR, and LORAN...and a host of of other major accomplishments (not to mention the best kept secret of WWII, Bletchley Park) and yet, they simply could not keep a rather fine three-engine Lockheed airliner going.
One wonders why?
Answers on a postcard.