I think you may be talking about the properties of St. Elmos fire with ships. I do not think aeroplanes experience electrostatic discharging the same way. I have never heard of or seen the effect you describe. The only St. Elmo's fire I have heard of is the static discharge across a heated windscreen. I think you may be disapointed if you look for glowing effects on aircraft structures.
Why not ask in the Military Forum if any of them there have seen it? C130 Hercules transports have such refuelling booms.