According to Screenwriter Winston Miller, this movie was the first post-War movie that portrayed the Japanese "as nice people".
This was originally released by R.K.O. Radio Pictures, but was acquired and released by Universal-International after R.K.O. closed down.
The civilian airliner is actually a U.S. Air Force Douglas HC-54D "Rescuemaster" - a military version of the DC-4. Only 38 of this version of this plane were made as a specialist search and rescue aircraft.
The U.S. Air Force search and rescue plane is a Grumman HU-16 "Albatross". 466 were made from 1949 to 1961. Note an early, uncredited role for Clint Eastwood at its pilot.