Originally Posted by
Heathrow Harry
weren't these the conversion that exploded a couple of times - once in IRAF service and one converted back by TWA in revenue service??
Not TWA but it appears that The Imperial Iranian Air Force 747 was a tanker. And I now finally have a conclusion as to why this aircraft exploded when hit by lightning. It wasn't just a regular 747, it had a heavily modified fuel system which makes it more understandable why it exploded, even if the exact details of why remain unknown.