According to Screenwriter Winston Miller, this movie was the first post-War movie that portrayed the Japanese "as nice people."
Was originally released by RKO Radio Pictures, but was acquired and released by Universal-International after RKO closed down.
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 as its pilot (at 7:55 min).
Last project for Jon Provost before he would start the role he is most known for on the TV series Lassie (1954).
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.