I once planned a flight CMH-CLE only because I wanted to fly on a BAC 1-11.
There were two small airlines operating from BKL to points in Michigan across Lake Erie using Doves, which continued until one of the Doves was lost in the lake.
There was later an Allegheny Commuter run out of CLE to smaller Ohio cities opersted by a tiny carrier using Doves and Herons.
Air Canada flew Vanguards to CLE for a bit.
There was a corporate Viscount based at the airport.
I never saw a VC-10 or Comet in service, too bad.
No Tridents ever made it to this side of the pond.
I have of course seen some of the four engined Avros, as they originally were, but I never got to fly on one.
There were a few Shorts sheds in the US and I did observe some in service.
I too think of the technical leadership of the British aircraft industry and think of what might have been.
Sad to think that no British maker is still building airliners.