Let me start with a disclaimer: This is my opinion. Others will no doubt differ. I think that the actual shape of the hook is not terribly important. Mostly just make it fit the airplane. To me the important thing is the part where the hook contacts the ground. If the tip of the hook has too much forward angle to it, it could catch on a joint in the deck rather than an arresting line. If the tip of the hook is actually angled backward, the hook could drag across the arresting lines without grabbing one. I try to have the very tip of the hook contact the ground basically perpendicular to the surface. I also like to add a small locking wire that keeps the arresting line captured. This is evident in the first photo. The second photo shows a hook before the locking wire has been installed.

One other piece of info that may help. It is common practice to stop the hook at 30 degrees of downward angle. this way, it provides a visual reference when then the airplane is hanging at 60 degrees because the hook will be vertical.
This is only important if you are trying to maintain a "maximum hang".

Hope this is helpful.     Bill

Me too!
Wayne

John, you always use 1/8 wire on the hook for everything except .15?
Wayne

I have always found 3/32" adequate, even for 60 powered Class 2 ships. My 15's use 1/16". But if you need the weight, why not?

Bill,
3/32 works for you because you land like a feather. (sting like a Bee? )  My class I and II's land a bit faster and will straiten a 3/32 hook.
John

Bill,
3/32 works for you because you land like a feather. (sting like a Bee? )  My class I and II's land a bit faster and will straiten a 3/32 hook.
John

I also float like a butterfly! At one NATS, Dick Perry was taking a picture of one of my planes in slow flight, and later related that a butterfly flew through the frame, and passed my airplane!