Concerned the Army wasn't doing enough to protect his brother Chris in Afghanistan, Ernie Fessenden came up with a plan of his own.

ABC News reports Ernie bought a Traxxas Stampede remote control truck from a local hobby shop, and outfitted it with a small camera and monitor Chris could mount to his rifle for about $500.

His brother, Staff Sgt. Chris Fessenden would take it on patrols with him -- running the toy ahead of the Humvees checking for improvised explosive devices.

Last week he loaned the truck to six soldiers in his company. It was running ahead of the patrol when it became tangled in some detonation wires that set off 500 pounds of explosives -- the soldiers back in the Humvess were unhurt.

The truck was on its last legs, having already tipped off Chris to four IEDs, and the family was trying to raise money for a replacement just days before at a county fair.

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