The Paraguayan government decided to buy it in 1927 -- the first fighter Paraguay had ever bought and its only fighter until the arrival of seven Wibault 73 C.1 aircraft in 1928 -- but placed no order for additional S.52s.
The general design followed that of Wibault's family of single and two seat fighters, the Wib 3, Wib 7, Wib 8 and Wib 9 but in external detail was closest to the Wib 8.
The general design of the Wib 13 followed the pattern set by Wibault's earlier single seat, parasol wing fighters, the Wib 3 and Wib 7 but it was smaller and lighter.
Wibault's submission was one of a series of parasol wing aircraft, beginning with the Wibault Wib 3 and including the successful Wib 7.
It was a re-engined version of the relatively successful Wib 7, but failed to reach production.